Bloomington man accused of killing 17-year-old on News Year’s Eve given $2 million bond

Posted on January 10, 2020
Dewon Griffin, 19, of Bloomington. (Photo Normal Police Department)

 

By HOI-ABC

BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington man accused of killing Tariq Houston, 17, during a gathering on New Year’s Eve has been given a $2 million bond.

Our news partner Heart of Illinois ABC reports Dewon Griffin, 19, appeared via video in a McLean County courtroom Friday, just two days after Normal police and the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force arrested him.

The state’s attorney’s office revealed two witnesses came forward and identified Griffin as a person of interest after the Dec. 31 shooting.

One witness gave an anonymous tip while the other told police they went to grade school with Griffin and saw him point a gun at Houston that night. The eye-witness identified Griffin in a photo lineup.

Griffin is facing two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

The judge granted the state’s request for a $2 million dollar bond with 10% to apply after they revealed a surveillance video shows an altercation, gunshots fired and someone saying Griffin’s name that night.

Because Griffin failed to appear for a misdemeanor court appearance earlier this week and had been previously arrested for aggravated robbery with a firearm, aggravated battery and burglary, among other charges, the state believed him to be a flight risk.

During his interview with investigators, Griffin allegedly gave inconsistent stories about what happened the night Houston was killed.

Police found Griffin in covered in dirt and cobwebs in a home on the 400 Block of West Chestnut on Wednesday and he told them he was not hiding in the small space but rather sleeping down there.

Griffin will be arraigned at 10 a.m. on Jan. 24.

WJBC News can be reached at [email protected]

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