By DEVIN BROOKS, NEWS3 Reporter
MACOMB, Illinois (NEWS3) — The Western Illinois University student accused of shooting his roommate will face an extended sentence.
McDonough County State’s Attorney’s office is pushing to add an additional 60-year sentence for WIU freshman Kavion Poplous, 19, of Chicago, in connection with the Sept. 15 shooting inside of his Thompson Hall dorm room at WIU.
Poplous is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, one count of aggravated battery and one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm.
Police said Poplous shot Amarian Hargrove five times which caused serious injuries.
“He shot someone multiple times,” state’s attorney Matt Kwacala said. “I don’t know of any state’s attorney who wouldn’t seek to extend the sentence.”
Kwacala said his office is looking at an additional 15 years because Poplous was armed with a firearm when the situation happened. Prosecutors are also seeking an added 20 years for discharging a firearm and an additional 25 years due to the serious injuries.
Poplous pleaded not guilty to the charges during a McDonough County Circuit Court preliminary hearing in October.
A judge denied a request to reduce the $1 million bond set for Poplous.
Poplous could face six to 30 years in prison for attempted first-degree murder and up to 15 years for aggravated discharge of a firearm.
Poplous is due back in court for a pre-trial on Tuesday, March 16. Hargrove is expected to make a full recovery, according to WIU officials.
