MACOMB, Ill — A former Western Illinois University student will serve nearly two decades in prison and under supervision after admitting to shooting his roommate back in September of 2020.
Kavion Poplous was sentenced in McDonough County Court on Friday, September 3 for attempted first-degree murder. Judge Bill Poncin ordered him to serve at least 85% of an 18-year prison sentence, plus three years of supervised release.
Poplous appeared to have a confident attitude walking into the courthouse. News 8 was the only TV station in the courtroom for the hearing and we asked Poplous if he had anything to say as he walked in and his response was, "God is good."
The shooting happened inside Thompson Hall around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15. Police said Poplous, who was 18 at the time, shot his roommate five-times during a "roommate dispute" over girls and then took off.
"I know what I did was wrong," Poplous said in court. "I apologize to the victim and his family."
The judge heard different perspectives during the nearly five-hour sentence hearing.
The dorm's resident assistant Joshua Smith said he asked if the victim, Amarion Hargrove and Poplous would like to change rooms, but both declined.
"Kavion is a good kid at heart and I think he made a horrible mistake,"Poplous defense attorney Justin Bougher said.
Poplous and his mother Tamara Topps spoke to the court for the first time since the start of the case. Both expressed remorse, but they say the plaintiff's side did not tell the full story.
"Bullying should not be allowed at no school, no campus," Topps said.
Poplous said Hargrove made threats to him often while in their dorm room. Poplous told the court, Hargrove charged at him with an object before he pulled the gun.
"He bullied my son, he bullied my son, he bullied my son," Topps said outside of the courthouse.
Topps said Hargrove was the original aggressor. Poplous admitted in court he never should have turned the gun on Hargrove.
Poplous and Topps were emotional during the hearing. Poplous mother, siblings and aunts spoke about his character in court.
"My son is a sweet person," Topps said. "He always wanted to stand out."
Prosecutors were pushing for the maximum time for Poplous to serve.
"Not only was it a shooting, but he shot the guy five times," McDonough County State's Attorney Matt Kwacala said.
Hargrove was hospitalized and underwent surgery following the shooting. He was not in court Friday, but a statement was read on his behalf, which indicated that the situation has "changed his life forever" due to the "cowardly actions" by Poplous.
The victim remained in recovery through the summer, according to the McDonough County State's Attorney, and previously used a walker. He has since returned to school at WIU.
Judge Poncin said the sentencing was "necessary to deter others."
"This was several people's home," Kwacala said. "It's where you're supposed to be safe."
"We were disappointed," Bougher said. "We were hoping for a lower number."
Poplous, who was a freshman at the time, surrendered to police in Chicago about 15 hours later after the incident.