Killer in Streator shooting moved from youth lockup

As a teen, he was convicted in a Streator woman’s shooting death and was sentenced to 35 years. Tamil Adams now is an adult and he’ll finish the murder sentence in the Department of Corrections.

Adams, now 19 and formerly of Dolton, was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2018 shooting death of Maria de la Torre outside her Streator home. He initially was sent to the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, where he was to remain until no later than his 21st birthday. IDOC records show him admitted on July 22, about six weeks before his 20th birthday.

De la Torre was shot and killed as she arrived at her Streator home as two robbers, later identified as Adams and Hashim Waite of Chicago, fled the scene after trying to rob De la Torre’s teenaged son of marijuana and money.

Waite, now 27, negotiated a plea to home invasion (he took 30 years) in exchange for testifying against Adams and the getaway driver, Ashanti Roberts. Both were convicted of felony murder following jury trials and sentenced to 35 years.

Prosecutors wanted more time for Adams and pushed for 45 years, citing his juvenile record (aggravated possession of a stolen vehicle and unlawful use of a weapon) as well as a videotaped incident in which he attacked a corrections officer inside the La Salle County Detention Home.

“Next time you die,” Adams said after being pried away.

Adams’ lawyers had requested a 20-year sentence, citing Adams’ age and rehabilitative potential; but Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. said he was troubled by Adams’ progressively violent behavior over a two-year span and ruled out a minimum prison term.

“He came a long way, the wrong way,” Ryan said.

Adams is scheduled for parole when he is 51 years old.