The rate of murder in Champaign County is 0.06 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. Christensen was thus sentenced on July 18, 2019 to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole plus 10 years. Jackson failed to return home or contact any family and was reported missing on November 29, 2011. [15][2] On June 17, Zhang's father, a paternal aunt (her father's sister-in-law), and her boyfriend arrived in Champaign to confer with authorities and to aid in the search. Partly cloudy skies. There were more violent crimes including homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault in the two cities in 2020 than at any time since 2010, according to the FBI data. The investigation revealed that a verbal argument could be heard in the area immediately prior to an unknown suspect(s) firing numerous gun shots. 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. 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. Champaign, Illinois 61820-6914 (217) 819-5000 . Seraphin says there are many things to look for in order to count an incident as a shooting. The day after he killed Zhang, Christensen claimed he put Zhang's dismembered body in three separate garbage bags which he then disposed of in the dumpster outside of his apartment. Listen Now 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Spanning over 23 miles, Champaign has a population density of 3,962 people per square mile. People want to show off what they have. 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. Keying in on the individuals involved in gun crime activities, Coon explained. [2][29] Christensen bragged to his girlfriend that he was a serial killer and that Zhang was his thirteenth victim, but investigators were unable to find any other victims, and doubted this claim. June 3, 2023. Often, the strife that leads to shootings is for no tangible reason. Nov. 13: Shawntiel Harrison,. Upon arrival, officers located 34-year-old Latoya Gwin [] 2019 Aug 6, 2019; . Upon arrival, officers discovered an unresponsive 56-year-old white male who had been physically battered and was without a pulse. Champaign is currently growing at a rate of 0.81% annually and its population has increased by 2.46% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 88,302 in 2020. A young man displays a certain gun on a video and someone else wants to mimic that. Location of Occurrence: 400 block of East Hill St., Champaign. The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Champaign is 643 to 1. The investigation revealed that Hull had been physically assaulted, including sustaining multiple stab wounds. [23], Investigators were unable to discern the license plate number of the vehicle from security camera footage. The latter topped 2,014 in 2019. Use at your own risk. [21][22], The university announced that they planned to install additional, high-definition, security cameras throughout the campus. [A text description of this figure is . Mary Jane was born in Dayton, Pa., on April 21, 1930. Champaign, IL 61820, Emergency: 9-1-1 [2][29], At a court hearing on July 5, U.S. Magistrate Eric I. Champaign violent crime is 37.9. 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. Crime rate in Urbana, IL The 2019 crime rate in Urbana, IL is 233 (City-Data.com crime index), which is about the average for the U.S. cities. And with drugs and cash there are usually guns present to keep that stash intact. Homicide numbers were at a 10-year high in Springfield, Decatur and Kankakee. All sales are final. Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dave Griffet, a police officer for 30 years. What a game. The Champaign County Coroner's office identified the victim as 14-year-old Steven Butler III. View Website. Chicago Tribune. Location of Occurrence: W. Church St., West of Mattis Ave., Champaign. [2] Zhang planned to marry her boyfriend, Xiaolin Hou, in October 2017. According to police, on December 8, Police arrested Arieana F. Colbert,. DAndre Miller, 34, of Champaign, awaiting trial for murder. Bob . 2021 End of Year Gun Violen by Neil Street, Its alarming, Champaign Deputy Chief Geoff Coon said. This week, the man accused of raping and murdering Wesselman was sentenced to 80 years in prison. Description: On the morning of March 11, Officers responded to an area near a local club in the 700 block of Hickory St. for multiple reports of shots fired. But some stressors will continue for some people. He was never found. The Clery Act is a federal law that requires universities to collect and report crime statistics and campus safety policies. Allerton Park . 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. Presented by the Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company. Jackson is described as a Black male, 511, approximately 165 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. 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). 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. I just think the situations presented themselves during a pandemic, he said. . Mr. Hobbs, of Champaign, died on Jan. 24, 2019, from gunshots he received inside a home in the 800 block of Fairoaks Drive in Champaign. Thats why you have an isolated shooting on a side street because somebody has shared your location, Griffet said. Police said an investigation done then suggested that an unknown person or people forced their way into the home and fired multiple rounds at Mr. Hobbs before fleeing. Date of Occurrence: August 9, 2014, at approximately 10:03 a.m. While Mount Vernon takes the cake for most dangerous city statewide overall, there's nowhere more violent in Illinois than Danville. Co-founder of YouTube. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Urbana, is 1 in 35. Biden defends Afghanistan exit, Newsfeed Now: Last US troops leave Afghanistan; Man, Newsfeed Now: US racing to finish Afghanistan withdrawal;, Newsfeed Now: The nation mourns after US service, Celebrating Central Illinois: First Responders, Fallen officer Chris Oberheims partner opens up, Plans move forward for Urbana solar farm that could, Champaign community raises $25,000 and counting for, Champaign Co. deputys passion to serve stronger, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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 . [42][43] In October 2019, Christensen was transferred to FTC Oklahoma City for evaluation and processing. 03/04/2023. [10] On June 29, Christensen attended a memorial walk for Zhang with his girlfriend. Upon arrival, officers discovered Mr. Ledbetter who was unresponsive near a park bench. The victim, identified as Gerryontae Brown, did not survive his injuries. View a list of counties and date spans in Illinois Statewide Death Index . Every piece of information is valuable, and the partnership of everyday citizens makes all the difference in successfully bringing cases to a close. at Parkland College Harold and Jean Miner Theatre, CHAMPAIGN Illinois. Police will arrange to speak privately with you. Cello12345. Date/Time of Occurrence: November 25, 1967, at approximately 1:00 a.m. Foul play is suspected. Previously, he was a news producer and manager at the NBC station in Dallas, where he won 7 Emmy awards. 82 E. University Ave. There is a 1 in 39 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. Champaign and Urbana mirrored the national trends. According to reports, while outside, a Black male, over 6 ft in height, wearing a red puffy coat approached Thomas and his wife, demanding money. When Yessenia Suarez and her two young kids, Thalia and Michael Otto, go missing from their home in Deltona, Florida, all eyes turn to her husband, Luis Toledo. All but one of those victims were shot and killed and dozens more were injured. 1. Pick the brain of veteran News-Gazette columnist Tom Kacich and veteran WDWS/WHMS radio personality Kathy Reiser. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in math and physics and graduated with a master's degree in physics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in May 2017. Officers located Ms. Melchi inside her residence, with evidence suggesting that foul play was involved in her death. [12] As the hours passed, Zhang's friends, aware of her errand and expecting her to return quickly, grew increasingly worried. Date of Occurrence: July 1, 2020, at approximately 11:50 p.m. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Auto thefts and arson are shocking high at 144 and 17, respectively. after a warrant had been issued for his arrest for First-Degree Murder in connection to the shooting death of Scott Roth, 21, of Champaign. Location of Occurrence: 1300 block of N. Hickory St., Champaign. Hinamatsuri: Japanese Doll Festival (Sold Out) at Japan House, Urbana IL. Date of Occurrence: December 20, 1986, at approximately 11:45p.m. Miller was arrested in the 1100 block of North James Street, Champaign. Meantime, area police departments are working with groups like the Community Coalition to provide resources to at-risk youth in hopes of reducing the number of gun crimes. [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. While most rates are declining, homicides tripled between 2018 and 2019. Officers responded to reports of a possible shooting in the 1300 block of N. Chestnut. Electrical engineer and physicist; two time Nobel Prize winner in Physics. Date of Occurrence: July 9, 2000, approximately 12:38 a.m. Non-emergency: 217-333-8911 This interactive murder mystery event will have you questioning everyone, looking for clues, eavesd!! , University of . [2][28] Concurrent with this questioning, agents at Christensen's apartment sought and obtained written permission from another occupant of the residence for search and seizure of items at the residence. Editorial | Murders up across the U.S., not just in Champaign-Urbana. The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. [26] At the time of Zhang's murder, Christensen was in an open marriage, while also dating a girlfriend. Three At-Large Champaign City Council Seats Attract Eight Candidates In April 2nd Election; Danville's Four Mayoral Candidates Present Cases For Fighting Crime, Boosting Economy; Election 2019: Community Questionnaires Answered By Central Illinois Candidates; Election 2019: Champaign Mayoral Candidate Cobbs Says, "We Need To Lift Everybody . Listen Now MURDERED: Tracy Kirkpatrick When 17-year-old Tracy Kirkpatrick is found murdered in March 1989, investigators struggle to find any evidence pointing to who killed her. Although, the effort overlaps some. Date of Occurrence: July 1, 2003, at approximately 8:54p.m. You have permission to edit this article. Partly cloudy skies. It may be three of your friends from the neighborhood, and you decide to bond together and look out for each other, he said. Despite a record 17 homicides in 2021, Vogel was able to dig back into Mr. Hobbs death several months ago. Jawed Karim. Make a night of it! PEORIA, Ill. (WLS) -- During opening statements in the trial of a man accused of killing a Chinese scholar at the University of Illinois Wednesday, the defense for Brendt Christensen acknowledged. Social media, he said, has become a tool to call out others, or to quickly alert an ally to the location of a perceived enemy. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Description: Officers responded to the 1200 block of Clock Street for a medical call that described Mr. Boyd as being found unconscious and bleeding. Communication or a physical encounter is not something they wish to partake in, he theorized. [4] She played in a band and had ambitions of becoming a professor in China. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Description:Mr.Taylor had just exited a cab and was walking away when he was struck from behind and battered by an unknown suspect who took his wallet and fled. Deputy Chief Coon oversees the Champaign County Street Crimes Task Force. It was believed the suspect cut himself while entering the home of the victim. Perceptions of crime on trails vs. parks in minority neighborhoods as factors affecting recreation use. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Location of Occurrence: 1500 block of Hedge Rd., Champaign. Low 32F. 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. Champaign, IL 162 contributions. Newell declined to comment on a possible motive. 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. AP / Macon County Sheriff's Office. Two women were found shot in St. Joseph Township, leading to the arrest of 28-year-old . She developed the ancillary materials for the sixth edition of Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription in addition to coauthoring the seventh edition. The 2019 Urbana crime rate fell by 11% compared to 2018. She was running late and sent a text message to the leasing agent at 1:39p.m. to inform them that she would arrive at approximately 2:10p.m.[2] After riding on one bus, she exited at 1:52p.m. and tried to transfer to another. 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. DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) A Champaign man has been convicted for his role in the murder of two men in Danville more than five years ago. After resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, Mr. Ledbetter was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. CPD is always working to update this webpage. Anyone with information related to the shooting is encouragedto call Champaign Police at 217-351- 4545. 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. St. Louis experienced its highest murder rate in 50 years.