Chambana Sun

A Champaign teenager has been charged following an investigation into a shooting incident on Colleen Drive in the early hours of July 20, 2024. At 2:45 a.m. that day, Champaign Police were dispatched when a vehicle arrived at the Fire Station in the 700 block of W. Bradley Avenue carrying two people with gunshot wounds. Officers with Champaign Police and personnel with the Champaign Fire Department worked to quickly render medical aid to a 16-year-old male victim from Champaign and an 18-year-old female victim from Dewey, IL, each with multiple potentially life-threatening gunshot wounds to the torso. Both victims were then transported to an area hospital by ambulance, where they were treated and later released.

The initial investigation indicates that the victims had been driving westbound on Colleen Drive when a fifteen-year-old subject from Champaign approached the vehicle and fired multiple shots, striking passengers inside. The vehicle then fled the area, calling 9-1-1 for assistance before stopping at the Fire Station to seek immediate medical aid. The juvenile subject was arrested on July 24, 2024, on charges related to the unlawful possession of a firearm. Following an investigation into the weapons charge, on July 31, 2024, the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s office amended his charges to include Aggravated Battery with a Firearm in relation to this incident. A firearm was recovered during this investigation.

Even though an arrest has been made, the investigation remains ongoing. Officers continue to canvass the surrounding area for witnesses and video footage that may be of investigative assistance. Any resident or business in the nearby area with exterior surveillance camera systems is encouraged to notify the police department. Future updates may be provided as they become available. The Champaign Police Department wishes to thank the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this investigation.

Champaign Police ask that anyone who has additional information please call 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 through the “P3 Tips” mobile app.

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 it on to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Caller ID tracking is not utilized by Crime Stoppers and conversations are not recorded.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.