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New details revealed in fatal domestic violence case in Peoria

A Peoria man accused of killing his girlfriend and wounding a neighbor admitted to going to a liquor store after the shooting because he knew he would soon be caught.

Those details were revealed Wednesday in Peoria District Court, where 43-year-old Stevie A. Linwood is charged with first-degree murder for the shooting death of 35-year-old Zaneta Winters Sunday night at a home in the 3400 block of North El Vista Avenue.

During a detention hearing Wednesday, the Peoria County District Attorney's Office said the evidence of Linwood's alleged actions did not mitigate the danger his release would pose. His lengthy criminal history includes a guilty plea to manslaughter in 2013.

Peoria County District Judge Nathan Bach granted the prosecutor's motion to deny Linwood's pretrial release, arguing that enough evidence had been presented to keep him in custody pending trial. The Peoria County Public Defender's Office, represented by local attorney Jonathan McEldowney, presented no evidence in Linwood's defense.

More: Peoria man charged in double shooting that killed his girlfriend and injured his neighbor

What led to the fatal shooting

Prosecutors also provided more details about the Sunday night shooting, saying that Linwood and Winters had been arguing about alleged infidelity when the situation turned violent. She had been trying to leave the house when Linwood allegedly shot her once. A neighbor tried to help when Linwood also shot her, allegedly believing she was running toward him.

Linwood and Winters had a five-year-old child who was also in the house at the time of the shooting.

Winters and the neighbor were found by Peoria police shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday and taken to OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center, where Winters was pronounced dead the next day. The other woman remains in critical condition at the hospital.

More: Man faces traffic charges after Peoria crash that killed Dunlap High School student

Linwood walked from the house to a local liquor store, believing it was only a matter of time before police caught him, prosecutors said. He then disposed of the gun before police found him in a backyard and took him into custody.

Winters' sister Bree Winters has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses.

As of Wednesday afternoon, $1,380 had been raised for the Winters family.

Linwood's arraignment is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 4. If convicted, he could face life in prison, depending on whether the jury finds he personally fired the gun.

More: Stevie Linwood pleads guilty to lesser charges in 2011 murder case

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