Decatur teen denied pretrial release in shooting death

DECATUR — An 18-year-old accused in the January shooting death of his father will remain in custody. This comes after a judge denied pretrial release, according to court documentation.

Zachariah Wikoff, 46, was shot and killed January 18 near East Wood Street and South Maffit Street. Following an investigation, the Decatur Police Department would arrest his son, Xzavier Wikoff, on May 14 in connection with the shooting.

A sworn statement would reveal that detectives spoke with a man who was with Zachariah inside a vacant home on the night of the shooting. The man’s statement said Xzavier arrived with a gun about 30 minutes before the shooting. The two began talking, then argued before Xzavier left the home.

The witness said Zachariah followed Xzavier outside. A short time later, he heard a gunshot. He later found Zachariah lying in the roadway, according to court documents.

Xzavier told police he shot Zachariah because he feared being attacked during the argument. He also told investigators he did not call 911 because he was afraid of being arrested.

Court documents show Xzavier was denied pretrial release on Wednesday. A preliminary hearing is set for August 19.

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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