Quardreka Waldrop-Payne, known as “Dreka” by friends and family, was a free-spirited young woman. The 32-year-old mother was shot and killed on Sept. 29. Her 8-year-old son, Cael Thornton, was also killed in the shooting. Officers arrested Rickey J. Payne, who is the father of Quardreka’s twins. Hall, Quardreka’s older brother, is now taking care of Jermani and Jermia. Waldrop said Quardreka made sure to fill out the paperwork to give him custody if anything happened to her. A family member has also set up a GoFundMe to raise money to help support the girls. Waldrop said people in the Peoria community also came together to help Hall gather supplies to help take care of the twins. Rickey J. Payne, 34, is now facing six counts of first-degree murder, along with other charges. His bond is set at $5 million
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