DECATUR, IL — In a somber resolution to a tragic case, a Decatur man linked to a shooting that resulted in the death of a pregnant woman and severe injury to her child last year, has accepted a plea agreement. The violent episode, stemming from an online dispute, has culminated in several prison sentences, reflecting an intense legal aftermath.
Mattavius Anderson, 21, was initially charged with murder among other felony counts following the incident that occurred almost three years ago. However, earlier this week, Anderson pled guilty to residential burglary as part of a plea deal that led to the dismissal of nine charges, including aggravated battery with a firearm. He has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, benefiting from credit for previous time served.
The confrontation erupted over a disagreement on Snapchat, which tragically escalated when gunfire was unleashed inside a home on North Woodford Street in May 2023. During this attack, Ja’Niah Thomas, a 20-year-old expecting mother, was fatally wounded as she tried to protect her children from the bullets. Her 4-year-old daughter sustained a catastrophic injury, losing an eye, while her 2-year-old son was left unscathed.
The situation further deteriorated when Thomas’ boyfriend and his brother stepped outside to confront Anderson, his brother Mattarion Anderson, and a third accomplice, Tarlan Mackey. It was during this confrontation that shots were fired into the residence, striking Thomas and her daughter.
In the courtroom, proceedings took a turn when Mattavius opted for a bench trial, renouncing his right to a jury. The trial, however, did not proceed as he entered his plea. Meanwhile, his brother faced his charges squarely in court and was convicted of murder, receiving a 40-year sentence in May.
The third defendant, Mackey, similarly entered a plea bargain. He pleaded guilty to residential burglary and received a sentence of 10 years.
The repercussions of the event have resonated deeply within the community and the victims’ family. Loved ones remember Thomas as a devoted mother who relished the joys of motherhood and music. Her unborn child, named Ja’Nylah Brielle Thomas in memory, was also lost in the attack, a fact that has only compounded the sorrow felt by her family and friends.
Adding to the emotional complexity of the case, a family member of one of the Anderson brothers sent a text message apologizing to the family of Thomas’ boyfriend, indicating remorse for the catastrophic outcome of the dispute.
As Mattavius Anderson begins his term, the community and all involved continue to grapple with the consequences of a moment that escalated from an online argument to a real-world tragedy with irreversible outcomes. Anderson’s incarceration, calculated including the pre-trial detention period, marks a partial closure to a case that has left indelible scars on the Decatur community.