Aug. 15: Christopher Kelly, 23, of Champaign, gunned down in a parking in the 900 block of Bloomington Road; Trevoy Fonville, 24, of Champaign, awaiting trial for murder. [18] This reward is the largest offered in the 31-year history of the Champaign Crime Stoppers organization. *Date of occurrence may refer to the time the incident was reported to police. Maywood Source: Wikipedia User Boscophotos | CC BY-SA 3.0 Overall SnackAbility 5 /10 Population: 23,277 [38][10] Evidence was provided that before Christensen abducted Zhang, he had posed as an undercover police officer and attempted to abduct graduate student Emily Hogan. He later told investigators that he may have been sleeping, or at home playing video games. In fact, newly released FBI statistics suggest it wasnt a crime wave at all. They dont have a normal chain of command or a certain code like back in the late 1980s or 90s with the Gangster Disciples and Vice Lords where orders were given, things were done. [50], The case was re-enacted as "Far From Home" on the Investigation Discovery television network true crime series See No Evil in season 6, episode 5 (2020).[51]. The creation of Illinois Statewide Death index is an ongoing project of the Illinois State Archives. Location of Occurrence: 700 block of Hickory St., Champaign. May 21: James Rooster Coleman, 25, shot during a dice game in a Gramercy Park apartment in the 200 block of South Country Fair Drive; London Taylor, 21, of Urbana, and Keith Baker, 25, of Champaign, awaiting trial for murder. Taylor was transported to an area hospital, where days later he would pass from injuries sustained during the robbery. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Miller was arrested in the 1100 block of North James Street, Champaign. Location of Occurrence: 00 100 block of Forsynthia Dr., Champaign. Adams County. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Evidence suggests that Mr. Simmons death was a homicide, and is believed to have occurred within a 24-hour period of him being found. The indictment alleges that Christensen "willfully and unlawfully seized, confined, inveigled, decoyed, kidnapped, abducted, and carried away" Zhang "and otherwise held her for his own benefit and purpose, and used and caused to be used a means, facility and instrumentality of interstate commerce, namely, a Motorola cellular telephone and a Saturn Astra motor vehicle, in committing and in furtherance of the commission of the offense". He believes social media is a factor. That was the case in Champaign and Urbana, where property crimes last year amounted to about one-half the number during the peak years in the prior decade. Description: Mr. Thomas and his wife were reported to have arrived in Champaign to help Thomass mother-in-law to relocate. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Police are investigating to see if there's a link to a shooting 22 hours earlier in another part of town that wounded one man. B. [6] Zhang was a visiting scholar in the Chinese Academy of Sciences[3] before travelling to the United States. You have permission to edit this article. All but one of those victims were shot and killed and dozens more were injured. Presented by the Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company. Steve Chen. He bled out, Willy-Ann Hoff said, her lip quivering. Police will arrange to speak privately with you. Location of Occurrence: 300 block of East Hill St., Champaign. She was the daughter of the late Alfred and Bessie Maurer. Date of Occurrence: Approximately December 7, 1995, possibly around 5 p.m. Graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As is the case in much of the country, criminal violence is becoming more common in Danville. Community Services Investigations Webpage read more . URBANA An Urbana man has been charged with the murder three years ago of a Champaign man. [10], On June 24, 2019, the 12-member jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning its verdict. Description: Officers discovered Mr. Hopkins inside of a private residence with a fatal gunshot wound. Description: Officers were dispatched to investigate a report of a person found deceased. The kidnapping and murder of Yingying Zhang occurred in Urbana, Illinois on June 9, 2017, when Zhang, a visiting Chinese scholar at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign, was abducted by Brendt Allen Christensen, a Champaign resident and former physics graduate student at the university. This week, the man accused of raping and murdering Wesselman was sentenced to 80 years in prison. They concluded that the car in the footage belonged to Christensen. Abusers' suicide deaths following attempted homicide, assault, or homicide threats. Upon arrival, Mr. McKinney was found lying in the open doorway of his home, with an apparent gunshot wound. [10] After picking up Zhang later that morning and taking her back to his apartment, Christensen choked, raped, and stabbed her in his bedroom before dragging her to his bathroom where he beat her with a baseball bat and decapitated her. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Champaign police said Friday that Keonte Campbell, 35, who is currently serving a prison sentence for selling crack cocaine, has been charged with the fatal shooting of Dehrone Hobbs, 38. In Champaign, Illinois you have a 1 in 144 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. The room looked nice but the halls to the room were also dark . digital.media, The News-Gazette (Champaign-Urbana) Wed, 05/22/2019 - 5:00am Page 1; Page 2; . Date of Occurrence: December 18, 2004, at approximately 4:42 a.m. Cain, was transported to the Champaign County Jail where he will remain. which is the worst way to die.. Minutes later, a passing motorist used Tatmans squad car radio to notify dispatch that there was an unresponsive policeman lying near his vehicle. 1201), Making false statements (18 U.S.C. It was higher than in 89.5% U.S. cities. Use at your own risk. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. As [], On November 12, 2020, at approximately 5:17 p.m., Champaign Police responded to the area of the 600 block of East Eureka Street for a reported shooting. Written August 14, 2019. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by phone at: 217- 373-8477 (TIPS); online at www.373tips.com; or the P3 Tips mobile app. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Click here to see our subscription options. Illinois crime rates, Illinois crime stats, Illinois crime report, FBI Uniform Crime Reports Illinois Crime Rates 1960 to 2019 Illinois Crime Rates 1960 - 2019 The data in the crime reports is derived from the annual Uniform Crime Reports issued by the FBI until 2020, at which time the FBI The number of homicides stood at 2 - a decrease of 5 compared to 2018. View a list of counties and date spans in Illinois Statewide Death Index . The CDC tracks murders by analyzing information contained in death . Upon arrival, officers located a male victim, later identified as Mr. Roth, who had sustained life-threatening injuries. Violent Crimes - Murder Rape Robbery Assault Property Crimes - Burglary Larceny Auto Theft Crime Rate per 100,000 Pop. (The US average is 22.7) Champaign property crime is 42.3. The data shows violent crime went down slightly in Illinois from 2018 to 2019. Location of Occurrence: 100 block of North State St., Champaign. [12] As the hours passed, Zhang's friends, aware of her errand and expecting her to return quickly, grew increasingly worried. [2] Zhang planned to marry her boyfriend, Xiaolin Hou, in October 2017. Thats why you have an isolated shooting on a side street because somebody has shared your location, Griffet said. Champaign, Illinois 61820-6914 (217) 819-5000 . Seating will be assigned for this event. A lot of criminals are using handguns with extended magazines, 30-round capacities, or even drum magazines which have 50-round capacities, Coon said of recent trends among the guns recovered. [5] In 2016, she received a master's degree from Peking University. 1,374 views 0 comments 3 Gia Marie Wright Sep 14, 2018 8 min Most recently, Ohio State defeated Illinois 72-60 on Sunday . [9] She was considering entering a doctoral program at the University of Illinois. The Illinois State Police (ISP) says a black Kia . [46][47], On August 19, 2019, Zhang's parents announced the creation of an endowment fund called Yingying Fund, which is dedicated in honor of her. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND)- Two individuals have been arrested for their involvement in the murder of Acarrie Ingram-Triner. Location of Occurrence: 1100 block of S. Randolph St., Champaign. Seraphin says there are many things to look for in order to count an incident as a shooting. Description: Officers responded to reports of a possible shooting in the 1300 block of N. Chestnut. Nov. 12: Gerryontae Brown, 16, shot to death in his own home in the 600 block of East Eureka Street; Calvin Williams, 18, of Champaign, awaiting trial for murder. On July 14, 2022, at approximately 5:14 a.m., Champaign Police responded to the 400 block of E. Beardsley Avenue for a report of a shooting with injury. Pick the brain of veteran News-Gazette columnist Tom Kacich and veteran WDWS/WHMS radio personality Kathy Reiser. Champaign, IL 162 contributions. Location of Occurrence: W. Church St., West of Mattis Ave., Champaign. Case details: Homicide investigation of Mary Ann Becker (15,000 reward) On Sept. 9, 1974, between the hours of 5:45 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., Mary Ann Becker was discovered dead inside her home in Atkinson. [23], Investigators were unable to discern the license plate number of the vehicle from security camera footage. She arrived in the United States in April 2017 to conduct research on photosynthesis and crop productivity for one year[7] in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences,[8] within the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES), at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. [21][22], The university announced that they planned to install additional, high-definition, security cameras throughout the campus. Not at a what I expected of a Wyndham Hotel property. That was my last word to my child.. Please send any seating requests to Ashley Sims at anowen2@illinois.edu. Experts have a number of theories for the unsettling increase in homicides and other violent crimes, mostly centering on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic: social isolation; stresses brought on by the fear of employment and housing loss; concerns about schooling and child care. Attempts were made to contact the missing [], On July 23, 2021, at approximately 4:56 p.m., Champaign Police responded to the 3000 Block of Edward Hoffman Drive for the report of shots fired. Its a sign of strength, he said. American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. . The son, and father of two, was 22 years old. Location of Occurrence: 200 block of E. Springfield Ave., Champaign. Champaign reported 827 violent crimes in 2020 (the same number as 2019), and Urbana reported a significant increase, from 124 incidents in 2019 to 214 in 2020. A federal jury has found Brendt Christensen guilty. Partly cloudy skies. Date of Occurrence: October 13, 2018, at approximately 1:30 a.m. Despite a record 17 homicides in 2021, Vogel was able to dig back into Mr. Hobbs death several months ago. Champaign Police and Champaign Fire rendered medical aid until Ms. Ingram-Triner was transported [], On Thursday, July 29, at approximately 7:36 p.m., Champaign Police were notified of a missing 14-year-old juvenile from the 900 block of Harvard Street, Champaign. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 17-year-old male seated in a vehicle. The U.S. murder rate jumped by 30% from 2019 to 2020, an increase attributed to a variety of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic. CPD Detectives are dedicated to investigating every lead possible to help bring justice to individuals, families, and to our community when it is impacted by crime and violence. Date of Occurrence: December 17, 2012, at approximately 7:22 p.m. People who live in Champaign County generally consider the southeast part of the county to be the safest for this type of crime. AP / Macon County Sheriff's Office. Description: On December 24, 1991, Officers responded to Ms. Hulls residence after receiving a report that she had been found unresponsive with traumatic injury. When: Sept. 9, 1974. Mr. Hobbs death was the first of two homicides by gunfire in 2019 in Champaign. That was no ordinary crime wave the United States experienced last year. Google Maps Generator by embedgooglemap.net. Often, the strife that leads to shootings is for no tangible reason. Aug 2019 - Dec 2019 5 months. [10] On June 29, Christensen attended a memorial walk for Zhang with his girlfriend. One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021. New pill cuts cholesterol, heart attacks, Fiery tanker crash kills driver, burns Maryland homes, Marianne Williamson begins longshot 2024 challenge to Biden. And with drugs and cash there are usually guns present to keep that stash intact. A+D Visitors Series Lecture: Ann Johnson. [12] Christensen, born June 30, 1989, is a former Ph.D. student at the University of Illinois. Police plea for more witnesses of gun-related crime to come forward, something they say is a primary hindrance in solving cases. Zhang's family traveled to Salem to follow possible leads and the FBI investigated the reports, but it was later determined that the woman was not Zhang. The rate of murder in Champaign County is 0.06 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. (The US average is 35.4) NOTE: Click on the links below to see charts for each crime category. According to reports, two unknown male suspects forced entry into the home firing gunshots; wounding one individual and fatally striking Mr. White. The U.S. murder rate rose 30% between 2019 and 2020 - the largest single-year increase in more than a century, according to data published this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 1 dead after single vehicle crash in Champaign County. St. Louis experienced its highest murder rate in 50 years. Over the next two days, Christensen claimed he disposed of Zhang's personal belongings in various dumpsters in the Champaign-Urbana area. Freres revealed more details from the investigation not presented in the criminal complaint. Police investigations Lt. Ben Newell credited really good investigative work by Detective Steve Vogel in closing what had been considered a cold case. On May 5, 2019, at approximately 1:49 a.m., Champaign Police responded to an apartment complex parking lot in the 400 block of Edgebrook Dr. following reports of a shooting. For the last few years, its been known there are these high-powered weapons in the community and many of them are possessed by people not allowed to have them, he said. His family reported him missing the night before. Chicago Tribune. The 2019 Champaign crime rate rose by 17% compared to 2018. Designed by Phyllis Williams and Christina Nordholm, the garden consists of pathways stones that were designed to disappear leading to a bench, a weeping cherry tree and a memorial stone. Although she smiles and laughs when she remembers her son, Stateman Hoff, she will be grieving his loss for the rest of her days. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk). Date of Occurrence: November 17, 2014, at approximately 10:00p.m. New pill cuts cholesterol, heart attacks, Fiery tanker crash kills driver, burns Maryland homes, Marianne Williamson begins longshot 2024 challenge to Biden. [34][35] Christensen pled not guilty at his arraignment on July 20, 2017. [2] In 2013, Zhang graduated from Sun Yat-sen University at the top of her class. Officers learned the victim had sustained life-threatening injuries during this event and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by phone at: 217- 373-8477 (TIPS); online at, Suspect in Homicide Investigation Surrenders to Police. Two women were found shot in St. Joseph Township, leading to the arrest of 28-year-old . Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. After resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, Mr. Ledbetter was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. The 10 Murder Capitals Of Illinois For 2021 1. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. He started at WILL in October of 2019 after serving as News Director for WKAR in East Lansing, Michigan. According to our research of Illinois and other state lists, there were 133 registered sex offenders living in Champaign, Illinois as of March 04, 2023. Two of the other homicides were caused by beatings and the third from a stabbing. . Location of Occurrence: 800 block of N. Randolph St., Champaign. 77 people were shot in Champaign last year. Stateman Hoffs life was cut short when a fight broke out at a party in northwest Champaign in 2016. If you have any information about any incident, you can call police directly or report it anonymously to Crime Stoppers. O'Connor killed a police officer and was scheduled to be executed when he escaped. UPDATE: Tornado watch issued until 3 p.m. Roselle man in custody in 2021 shooting of North Prospect Avenue motorist, Good Morning, Illini Nation: Big Ten standings update, Epps 'doing better' after hospitalization, Bob's buzzer beaters | 'What a game. Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 19; 3 still missing, Trump pitches a sequel, but shies away from attacking rivals, China sets this year's economic growth target at 'around 5%', Can't take statins? Peaceful Views. Officers immediately began lifesaving attempts until the victim was able [], Charges Filed in July 14, 2022, Shooting Death Investigation, Arrest Made in Champaign Park Apartments Homicide, Champaign Police, Champaign County Sheriffs Office, and Champaign County Coroners Office Investigating Homicide, Champaign County States Attorneys Office, Homicide Investigation 3000 Block of Edward Hoffman Drive, One Deceased, Four injured, in Afternoon Shooting, Homicide Investigation- 500 Block East Beardsley Avenue, Warrant Issued, Suspect in Custody in Nov. 12 Homicide Investigation, Champaign Police Investigating Early Evening Homicide, Arrest Made in February 3, 2020, Homicide Investigation, Homicide Investigation 100 Block of North State Street. [14] The university's large Chinese student population helped coordinate search efforts on and around campus. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. A former University of Illinois doctoral student was convicted Monday of killing a visiting scholar from China after abducting her at a bus stop as she headed to sign an off-campus apartment. Cain was transported to the Champaign County Jail where he will remain pending future court proceedings. The fund will be used to support international students in crisis and their families. Description: Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of East Hill St. for the report of an individual believed to be deceased inside of a motor vehicle. Your chance of being a victim of murder in Champaign County may be as high as 1 in 9,135 in the central neighborhoods, or as . The Zhang family donated an initial gift of $30,000 to the fund with an additional $24,000 contributed from more than 440 donors. But some stressors will continue for some people. The rate for violent crimes including rape, homicide, robbery and aggravated assault was 406.9 per 100,000. Christensen was tried and convicted of one count of kidnapping resulting in death and two counts of making false statements to agents of the FBI, but the jury deadlocked on whether or not to impose the death penalty. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) Candidates for Champaign Mayor, city council and more participated in a forum Sunday at Champaign Public . Aug. 20: Jasma Cobb, 34, of Urbana, shot to death outside a house in the 400 block of East Hill Street, where a relative had died of natural causes; two others wounded; no arrests. Although an arrest has been made, this is still an active investigation. What a game. Champaign Police reminds citizens that information submitted to Crime Stoppers is completely anonymous. Compare Champaign crime data to other cities, states, and neighborhoods in the U.S. on NeighborhoodScout. Its not necessarily about drugs or territory. Population 8,888. [2], The University of Illinois Police Department and Urbana Police Department worked with FBI agents to locate Zhang, offering a reward of US$10,000 for information leading to her location. [12][31] According to the law, if a kidnapping results in the death of any person, life imprisonment or the death penalty is prescribed. The circumstances of Mary Ann Becker's death resulted in a homicide investigation involving multiple police agencies. Keying in on the individuals involved in gun crime activities, Coon explained. But there was a distressing increase in violent crimes, particularly homicides. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. RANTOUL - Mary Jane Bryan, 92, of Rantoul passed away Sunday (Feb. 19, 2023). [44] Christensen was transferred to USP Coleman II in Florida in early 2020. Upon arrival, officers were met by a large crowd and discovered a 17-year-old male suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds to his chest and officers immediately began providing medical aid. [2][27], During questioning on June 15, Christensen admitted that he had given an Asian female a ride,[12] but said that he dropped her off after only a few blocks when a wrong turn caused her to panic. It was higher than in 74.9% U.S. cities. The investigation revealed that a verbal argument could be heard in the area immediately prior to an unknown suspect(s) firing numerous gun shots. The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Champaign is 643 to 1. Nov. 13: Shawntiel Harrison, 30, of Champaign, found shot in the head in a car in the 300 block of East Hill Street; no arrests. The victim, identified as Gerryontae Brown, did not survive his injuries. Long said that Zhang's body still being missing weighed against Christensen, and that Christensen was the last person to see Zhang. Foul play is suspected. UPDATE: Tornado watch issued until 3 p.m. Roselle man in custody in 2021 shooting of North Prospect Avenue motorist, Good Morning, Illini Nation: Big Ten standings update, Epps 'doing better' after hospitalization, Bob's buzzer beaters | 'What a game. Location of Occurrence: 200 block of E. Roper, Champaign. A young man displays a certain gun on a video and someone else wants to mimic that. SHELDON An Iroquois County man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the death of a 17-year-old girl. Dinner is included and a cash bar will be available. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. As a result, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on July 18, 2019. Newell said that Vogel found that there was blood on Mr. Hobbs pants that appeared to have dropped straight down. [23] However, they determined that there were 18 four-door Saturn Astras registered to owners in the Champaign County area. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) The Champaign Police Department is providing the community an update on how it's responding to the recent uptick in gun violence. Date of Occurrence: July 1, 2003, at approximately 8:54p.m. Team members will work to link people with resources and services available in the community. 03/04/2023. 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