Decatur, IL – A 21-year-old Illinois man accused of opening fire on a home in 2023 — killing a pregnant woman, her unborn child, and blinding her 4-year-old daughter — has accepted a plea deal that allows him to avoid a murder conviction. Prosecutors say the shooting stemmed from a Snapchat dispute that spiraled into deadly violence.
The Incident: Pregnant Mother and Child Caught in Gunfire
According to Macon County prosecutors, the fatal shooting occurred in 2023 at a home on the 1300 block of North Woodford Street in Decatur. The victim, 20-year-old Ja’Niah Thomas, was 26 weeks pregnant when Mattavius Anderson, then 18, and his brother allegedly opened fire on the home following an online feud.
Thomas had been visiting her boyfriend’s residence with her two young children, ages 4 and 2, when the shooting began. She was sitting on the couch with her daughter when stray bullets tore through the walls.
“She was an innocent bystander, sitting peacefully on the couch when she was struck by stray bullets,” read a statement on GoFundMe, created to support her family.
The 4-year-old was shot in the face and lost her right eye, while Thomas was struck multiple times and died at the scene. Her unborn child, Ja’Nylah Brielle Thomas, did not survive the shooting. The 2-year-old son was unharmed.
Investigation and Evidence Collected
Authorities say the attack followed a Snapchat dispute between the Anderson brothers and someone inside the house. The confrontation escalated when Mattavius and Mattarion Anderson, accompanied by a third man, Tarlan Mackey, arrived at the property armed.
When Thomas’s boyfriend and his brother went outside to confront them, the suspects allegedly opened fire toward the house. Bullets ripped through the walls, hitting Thomas and her daughter.
After the shooting, a relative of the Anderson brothers reportedly texted one of the victims’ family members, apologizing for what his brothers had done, according to prosecutors.
Court Proceedings and Plea Deal
Mattavius Anderson, who was initially charged with murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and other related offenses, was scheduled to go on trial this week. However, he instead accepted a plea deal that reduced his charges to a single count of residential burglary.
As part of the agreement, all nine felony counts — including murder — were dismissed, sparking outrage among community members. Online court records show that Anderson was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with credit for time served.
His older brother, Mattarion Anderson, chose to proceed to trial earlier this year and was found guilty of murder by Judge Thomas Griffith, who sentenced him to 40 years in prison. The third suspect, Tarlan Mackey, also pleaded guilty to residential burglary and received a 10-year sentence.
Statements and Family Reaction
Friends and family described Ja’Niah Thomas as a hardworking and loving mother who “didn’t take pride in anything more than being a mom.” According to her obituary, she worked as a forklift operator and was a Decatur native who “loved to sing, laugh, dance, and spend time with her children and family.”
“At the time of her demise, her precious 4-year-old daughter was shot in the eye,” her family wrote on GoFundMe. “Ja’Niah was an innocent bystander. She and her unborn baby, Ja’Nylah Brielle, didn’t deserve this.”
Her family continues to call for justice, expressing disappointment that Anderson’s plea deal allows him to avoid a murder conviction despite the devastating loss.
Background and Legal Context
Legal experts note that plea agreements like Anderson’s are controversial but common in cases where prosecutors face challenges proving intent or distinguishing roles among multiple defendants. While Anderson avoided a murder conviction, his co-defendant’s 40-year sentence underscores the severity of the crime.
Residential burglary, the charge Anderson ultimately pled guilty to, carries a Class 1 felony status in Illinois, punishable by 4 to 15 years in prison. Prosecutors said the decision to accept the plea was made after evaluating the available evidence and witness testimony.
Ongoing Developments and Community Response
The case has reignited conversations in Decatur about gun violence, online disputes escalating into deadly encounters, and the impact on innocent victims.
Community advocates are calling for stricter gun control measures and more intervention programs for youth conflicts that start online.
Thomas’s surviving daughter continues to receive medical care and trauma therapy, while relatives raise funds to support her recovery and future care needs.
Conclusion
The plea deal that allows Mattavius Anderson to avoid a murder conviction has left many questioning the limits of justice after a tragedy that claimed the lives of a pregnant woman and her unborn child and left a 4-year-old girl permanently disfigured. As her family continues to grieve, they hope the case serves as a reminder of the devastating human cost of senseless violence.
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