Chambana Sun

On the morning of September 3, 2024, Champaign Police served search warrants at six locations as part of investigations into recent incidents of gun violence. In total, five people were arrested and eight unlawfully possessed firearms were seized in the search. The search warrants were executed early in the morning at residences located in the 500-block of Crescent Drive, the 2500-block of W. Springfield Avenue, the 1900-block of Nancy Court, the 1600- and 1700-blocks of Valley Road, and the 2000-block of Bruce Drive in Urbana.

“This joint effort represents weeks of work by investigators with the Champaign Police Department and involved more than 80 personnel from five area law enforcement agencies,” said Police Chief Timothy T. Tyler. “We are thankful to our partners for their assistance as we worked to get these deadly weapons off the streets.”

Those arrested include:

- Ahmerre McClay, 18, of Champaign

- Antoine Jones, 22, of Champaign

- Theodis White, 48, of Champaign

- Corey Butler, 22, of Champaign

- A 17-year-old juvenile subject

Initial charges for all subjects will relate to unlawful possession of firearms.

The investigation remains ongoing despite these arrests. Future updates may be provided as they become available. The Champaign Police Department expressed gratitude to the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, Rantoul Police Department, University of Illinois Police Department, Urbana Police Department, and the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office for their assistance.

Champaign Police urge anyone with additional information related to any incident involving gun violence to call 217-351-4545. Arrangements can be made for private sharing of information. Those wishing to remain anonymous may submit tips to Crime Stoppers by phone at: 217-373-8477 (TIPS); online at www.373tips.com; or via the “P3 Tips” mobile app.

Citizens are reminded that information submitted to Crime Stoppers is completely anonymous. Calls are routed through a third-party national call center that collects information and forwards it to appropriate law enforcement agencies without using caller ID tracking or recording conversations. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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