Champaign Police are investigating the death of a 45-year-old man who was found with a fatal gunshot wound near the railroad tracks at Maple Street and Prairie Street. Officers responded to the scene at 6:12 a.m. after receiving a report about a deceased individual near the tracks. The man, identified as being from Champaign, had been dead for several hours when discovered, and police determined he was beyond lifesaving measures.
Authorities immediately contacted the Champaign County Coroner and secured the area to begin an investigation into what led to the shooting. According to police, there were no 9-1-1 calls reporting gunfire during the night, so investigators are still working to establish when the incident took place.
Champaign Police have requested that anyone with information related to this case contact them at 217-351-4545. Arrangements can be made for information to be shared privately. “Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may also submit tips to Crime Stoppers by phone at: 217-373-8477 (TIPS); online at 373tips.com; or the ‘P3 Tips’ mobile app,” according to authorities.
Officers are canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses and searching for any video footage that could assist in their investigation. Residents and businesses in the vicinity who have exterior surveillance cameras are encouraged to reach out to police if they believe their footage may be helpful. There have been no arrests, and police say their inquiry is ongoing. They plan to release more information as it becomes available.
“Citizens are reminded that information submitted to Crime Stoppers is completely anonymous. Calls are routed to a third-party national call center that receives your information, completes a tips information form, and then passes the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Caller ID tracking is not utilized by Crime Stoppers and conversations are not recorded.”
Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for tips leading to arrests: $5,000 in homicide cases, $2,500 for felony crimes involving firearms, and up to $1,000 for other crimes.
