PEORIA, Ill. — On Friday, May 8, 2026, at about 6:36 p.m., a Peoria Police Department officer responded to a reported domestic disturbance in the 500 block of Hamilton Boulevard, near Hamilton and Madison streets and the Four Points by Sheraton hotel in downtown Peoria.

Ashley N. Stenson, 42, of Atlanta, Georgia, arrived that day at Peoria International Airport for a wedding and was met by a cousin. Cortez White, 41, of St. Louis, Missouri, her former boyfriend, appeared unexpectedly, opened the passenger door, and left with Stenson in a pickup truck.

Stenson texted relatives that White would not let her leave and intended to kill her. Relatives called police and gave descriptions of the pair and the vehicle.
An officer located Stenson and White on the sidewalk outside the hotel. After exiting the squad car and asking if they were Ashley and Cortez, White produced a Taurus 9mm pistol, shot Stenson in the head, and continued firing while standing over her. White then pointed the gun at the officer. The officer fired multiple shots. White tried to flee, was struck, and was taken into custody. The officer was not injured.

Both were taken to OSF Healthcare Saint Francis Medical Center. Stenson was pronounced dead at 7:03 p.m. White was pronounced dead in surgery at 8:26 p.m. An autopsy found Stenson was shot five times, including twice in the head and once in the chest. White suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

Sources: Peoria Police Department; Illinois State Police; Peoria County Coroner’s Office; Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office.