A Champaign police officer was suspended after an internal investigation into a shooting incident this summer and the man wounded in the incident received a financial settlement.
The Champaign Police Department said in a news release that Officer James Hobson was suspended for 10 days without pay on Dec. 1 for the accidental discharge of his duty weapon related to a June 1 shooting that resulted in Dehari Banks being wounded in his shoulder.
The Champaign City Council approved for $93,000 settlement for Banks' personal-injury claim.
Reports of the incident said Banks was driving when Hobson attempted a traffic stop. Banks tried to drive away, but crashed into a garage and then began running. Banks then stopped running, and Hobson, who had his weapon drawn, came to a running stop near Banks when Hobson said he slipped and his gun accidentally discharged.
An investigation into the incident found no criminal charges were warranted against Hobson, but further investigation the Police Department, including its Firearms Discharge Review Board evaluating the incident and Chief of Police Anthony Cobb making the final review, determined that Hobson did not handle his weapon with department-mandated care.
Hobson also will undergo corrective firearms training.
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