NEWS RELEASE

January 28, 2018

Media Contact:
Lieutenant Nathan Rath
217.403.6926 | nathan.rath@champaignil.gov

Police Investigate Shooting in 800 Block of N. Willis; Seek Community Assistance

Last night, at approximately 8:58 PM, Champaign Police were dispatched to Harvard & McKinley Ave.,
in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, police were directed to an 18-year-old female victim who was
suffering from a serious gunshot wound.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the victim had gone to a nearby residence in the 800 Block of N.
Willis Ave., to purchase narcotics. Once inside the residence, the victim reports that an unidentified male
pointed a handgun at her and demanded her purse. When the victim refused, the suspect struck her with
the handgun, and shot her as she attempted to flee from the residence. The victim is being treated at an
area hospital for the injuries sustained from the assault and shooting.

Overnight, Police obtained and executed a court authorized search warrant for the reported address,
locating evidence from the shooting; as well as ammunition and items associated with the distribution of
narcotics. Police are processing the evidence and interviewing potential witnesses to help identify the
involved suspect(s).

The shooter is described as a Black male, approximately 30 years old, standing approximately 6’3”, 225
pounds with facial hair; and wearing a black coat jacket.

Police ask that anyone who may have information, or anyone who was in the area at the time of the
shooting, to please contact Champaign Police Investigations at 217-351-4545.

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.

Champaign Police reminds citizens 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 will pay a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.

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Champaign Police | 82 E. University Ave | 217.351.4545 | www.champaignpolice.com | Facebook and Twitter @ ChampaignPD