Jason D. Atkins, 37, of Peoria, died Jan. 2 of a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Frank D. Flowers, the suspect in the Jan. 2 shooting death of Jason Atkins, 37, acted in self-defense when he shot Atkins in the abdomen with a shotgun outside his home on Sheridan Road, according to Peoria County prosecutors

At the Jan. 4 court hearing, Prosecutor Dave Kenney said Atkins kicked in Flowers’ door demanding money. Outside the home, Flowers said Atkins approached him with a gun, and he reacted in self- defense.

Flowers turned himself into police about two hours after the shooting and was in custody at the Peoria County Jail on charges of first-degree murder and possession of a weapon by a felon until Wednesday.

Defense attorneys say residents can use force if they believe they are in danger.

A convicted felon, Flowers will still be charged with felony possession of a weapon and is due back in court on Feb. 2.

Frank D. Flowers, 29, of Peoria remains in the Peoria County Jail in connection to the shooting death of 37-year-old Jason D. Atkins.

Flowers’ criminal record in Peoria County spans 12 years, beginning in 2004 at age 17 with possession of a controlled substance, criminal trespass to property and aggravated battery. Two of the charges are felonies, and Flowers served two years in prison for the battery charge.

Peoria Community Against Violence hosted a Murder Stand Down for Peace Jan. 5 at 6 p.m. for Atkins. The gathering will take place at the Gateway Building on the Peoria riverfront.

Visitation and funeral services for Atkins will be Jan. 7 from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church in Peoria.

— Peoria prosecutors say man acted in self-defense in Jan. 2 shooting–