PEORIA COUNTY, IL – A 39-year-old man, Joshua McGee, has been sentenced to 65 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Ashley Tankersley, in a case that shocked the Peoria County community. McGee was found guilty of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, with the sentence requiring him to serve the entire term for the murder charge.
The Fatal Shooting
The tragedy occurred in the early hours of August 22, 2021, when McGee allegedly shot 37-year-old Tankersley and left her to die in a roadside ditch near Philander Chase Lane and U.S. 150 in Brimfield. Deputies from the Peoria County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call reporting the shooting and found Tankersley with multiple gunshot wounds. She was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigation and Evidence
Investigators traced the 911 call to McGee’s phone, revealing that he was at a rest stop in Sherman, Illinois, roughly 85 miles south. Law enforcement surrounded his vehicle, resulting in a standoff lasting several hours before McGee was taken into custody.
Inside his vehicle, police recovered:
- A handgun
- Two spent shell casings
- Items belonging to Tankersley
Forensic testing confirmed Tankersley’s blood on McGee’s shoes, and a firearms expert verified that the recovered gun had fired the shell casings found at the scene. Cellphone records also placed McGee at the location of the murder during the incident.
911 Call and Court Testimony
The 911 call that reported the shooting was later played in court, with a male voice telling the operator: “She’s shot. Please help her,” before hanging up. Sheriff Chris Watkins testified that McGee was contacted by authorities around 4 a.m. after tracing the call. During the conversation, McGee allegedly asked if Tankersley was okay and inquired about which hospital she was at.
McGee later claimed he had been intoxicated, while a friend of Tankersley testified that she and McGee had been drinking earlier that night at her home before tensions escalated.
Sentence and Judicial Remarks
Chief Judge Katherine Gorman of the Illinois 10th Judicial Circuit Court ordered that 55 years be served for the murder charge and 10 years for the weapons charge, with McGee legally required to serve the full murder sentence.
The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office described the sentence as ensuring that McGee will spend the rest of his life in prison, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the devastating impact on the victim’s family.
Remembering Ashley Tankersley
Tankersley’s obituary described her as having a vibrant personality, a joyful smile, and the ability to make those around her laugh and feel valued. Family and friends continue to mourn her loss, highlighting the tragic nature of the crime.
Call to Action
This case raises critical questions about domestic violence, gun safety, and accountability. Share your thoughts in the comments below about measures that communities can take to prevent such tragedies and support victims and families affected by violent crimes.
