Illinois Man Allegedly Shoots Ex-Girlfriend to ‘Prove His Love’ to New Partner

A 23-year-old man in Peoria, Illinois, remains in custody after allegedly shooting his ex-girlfriend in the feet to “prove his love” to his new girlfriend, authorities said Monday.

Jaquon Timothy was arrested on September 18 and charged with aggravated battery with a firearm. The incident reportedly occurred around 1:30 a.m. on July 19 in South Peoria. Police responding to a shooting alert found the woman with gunshot wounds to both feet. She was taken to a hospital and survived the attack with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to investigators, Timothy had previously told his current girlfriend that he intended to shoot his ex. Following the attack, he reportedly admitted to her that he had carried out the shooting. Police confirmed the claim after executing a search warrant on Timothy’s phone, which contained text messages in which he took responsibility for the crime.

If convicted, Timothy could face up to 30 years in prison. Authorities described the case as ongoing.

While this shooting did not result in any fatalities, similar incidents have turned deadly. In Philadelphia, a “love triangle” shooting on May 30 left a 26-year-old man dead after being shot three times by his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend. Police say the deadly altercation occurred around 1:00 a.m., and the victim died shortly after arriving at a nearby hospital.

These cases highlight the extreme consequences of jealousy and possessiveness in relationships, underscoring the need for awareness and intervention before conflicts escalate into violence.