Champaign Police Department You have permission to edit this article. Gun sales also soared during the pandemic, and 77 percent of the homicides last year were committed with a firearm. On May 5, 2019, at approximately 1:49 a.m., Champaign Police responded to an apartment complex parking lot in the 400 block of Edgebrook Dr. following reports of a shooting. Brendt Christensen, 29, avoided the death penalty after a 12-person jury reportedly could not reach a unanimous . One of these vehicles was registered to Brendt Allen Christensen, a Champaign resident. Almost weekly, young men charged with illegally possessing guns are asked in court why they have guns. Location of Occurrence: 300 block of East Hill St., Champaign. The fund is managed by the University of Illinois Foundation. American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. [18] On July 14 the reward was increased to $50,000. Brendt Christensen gets life sentence for killing Yingying Zhang | CNN Aug 18, 1978. People who live in Champaign generally consider the south part of the city to be the safest for this type of crime. Crime rate in Champaign, IL - City-Data She arrived in the United States in April 2017 to conduct research on photosynthesis and crop productivity for one year[7] in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences,[8] within the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES), at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 03/04/2023. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance where he succumbed to [], On July 2, 2021, at approximately 3 p.m., Champaign Police responded to the 700 block of Hickory Street for a shooting with injuries. There were 11 homicides in the two cities, including nine in Champaign. The previous high was four. Cain was transported to the Champaign County Jail where he will remain pending future court proceedings. [12] As the hours passed, Zhang's friends, aware of her errand and expecting her to return quickly, grew increasingly worried. Champaign reported 827 violent crimes in 2020 (the same number as 2019), and Urbana reported a significant increase, from 124 incidents in 2019 to 214 in 2020. Location of Occurrence: 100 block of S. Kenwood Rd., Champaign. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. . Low 32F. What a game', 'Craziness' of Illini helps secure double overtime win, Editorial | White Castle ruling leaves bad taste in business community's mouth, New Illini-centered name, image, likeness collective targets big-dollar donations, Man charged in connection with 35 pounds of cannabis in his home. [13], The leasing agent sent a text message to her at approximately 2:38p.m., but received no reply. Editorial | Murders up across the U.S., not just in Champaign-Urbana. Foul play is suspected. Mr. Henderson was determined deceased by an inflicted gunshot wound and foul play was suspected. Description: Upon arriving to the scene in the 400 block of West Vine St., officers located Mr. Moore in the driveway of a private residence suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. Champaign Police: Gun violence increasing in 2021 | WCIA.com All but one of those victims were shot and killed and dozens more were injured. Seating will be assigned for this event. Champaign, IL 61820. after a warrant had been issued for his arrest for First-Degree Murder in connection to the shooting death of Scott Roth, 21, of Champaign. Written August 14, 2019. The fund will be used to support international students in crisis and their families. Rising crime rates have become a central focus in major metropolitan areas including New York City, Philadelphia and Chicago. , University of . [], On July 1, 2020, at approximately 11:50 p.m., Champaign Police were called to the 100 Block of North State Street for the report of a robbery. Too Politically Sensitive by Michale Callahan | Goodreads Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Date of Occurrence: Approximately December 7, 1995, possibly around 5 p.m. Cain, was transported to the Champaign County Jail where he will remain. Taylor was transported to an area hospital, where days later he would pass from injuries sustained during the robbery. Jawed Karim. Upon arrival, Mr. McKinney was found lying in the open doorway of his home, with an apparent gunshot wound. Previously, he was a news producer and manager at the NBC station in Dallas, where he won 7 Emmy awards. The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Description: Officers were dispatched to assist Champaign Fire for a report of a deceased subject. The black Saturn Astra was initially towed to a secure bay at the Champaign Police Department, and on June 18 was transported to the FBI Springfield Division's main office in Springfield, Illinois. He had been physically battered and was without a pulse. Police will arrange to speak privately with you. The [], On October 6, 2020, at approximately 11:12 a.m., the Champaign County Street Crimes Task Force and United States Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested DAndre Miller, 33, of Champaign, for his alleged involvement in a Feb. 3, 2020, homicide. Description:Mr.Taylor had just exited a cab and was walking away when he was struck from behind and battered by an unknown suspect who took his wallet and fled. This afternoon, Isaiah Depriest Cain (pictured), 28, of Champaign, surrendered to Champaign Police after a warrant had been issued for his arrest for First-Degree Murder in connection to the shooting death of Scott Roth, 21, of Champaign. Your chance of being a victim of murder in Champaign may be as high as 1 in 9,241 in the east neighborhoods, or as low as 1 in 26,751 in the south . [2] Zhang planned to marry her boyfriend, Xiaolin Hou, in October 2017. Champaign-Urbana Area Family-Friendly Events Calendar - ChambanaMoms.com Rumblings from the Downstate Illinois Innocence Project, The Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University and an impending show on CBS's 48 Hours were that two men had been wrongfully convicted for these murders. March 29: Kimberly Coyne, 54; and her daughter Blair Coyne, 24, shot in their home in the 1600 block of County Road 2200 E, northwest of St. Joseph; Jonathan Perry, 29, awaiting trial for their murders. 1201), Making false statements (18 U.S.C. Everyone has a role. A+D Visitors Series Lecture: Ann Johnson. Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916 Illinois State Archives November 8, 2019. Attempts were made to contact the missing [], On July 23, 2021, at approximately 4:56 p.m., Champaign Police responded to the 3000 Block of Edward Hoffman Drive for the report of shots fired. Aug. 15: Christopher Kelly, 23, of Champaign, gunned down in a parking in the 900 block of Bloomington Road; Trevoy Fonville, 24, of Champaign, awaiting trial for murder. Pick the brain of veteran News-Gazette columnist Tom Kacich and veteran WDWS/WHMS radio personality Kathy Reiser. UPDATE: Tornado watch issued until 3 p.m. Roselle man in custody in 2021 shooting of North Prospect Avenue motorist, Good Morning, Illini Nation: Big Ten standings update, Epps 'doing better' after hospitalization, Bob's buzzer beaters | 'What a game. Reginald Hardwick is the News & Public Affairs Director for the Illinois Newsroom. [46][47], On August 19, 2019, Zhang's parents announced the creation of an endowment fund called Yingying Fund, which is dedicated in honor of her. The 2019 Urbana crime rate fell by 11% compared to 2018. [40][41], Following the trial, prosecutors revealed information about Zhang's remains that Christensen divulged through his attorneys in November 2018 under an immunity agreement. Judge Roger Webber said surveillance video from the area where Darin Mitchell, 48, of Champaign, was shot on Aug. 23 . Partly cloudy skies. According to police, on December 8, Police arrested Arieana F. Colbert,. The dumpster in which Christensen placed Zhang's remains was emptied three days later and the contents taken to a private landfill in Vermilion County, compacted at least twice, spread over an area fifty yards wide, and subsequently buried under thirty feet of garbage. Officers learned the victim had sustained life-threatening injuries during this event and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Location of Occurrence: 200 block of E. Springfield Ave., Champaign. [2] In 2013, Zhang graduated from Sun Yat-sen University at the top of her class. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. 1001), "US police seek information on car where missing Chinese scholar last seen", "Federal jury finds Brendt Christensen guilty of kidnapping, slaying of Chinese scholar at U. of I. "We're in a war when you think of homicide as a conflict, and we don't have enough boots on the ground," Hargrove said. Two of the other homicides were caused by beatings and the third from a stabbing. [26], Investigators interviewed Christensen on June 12, 2017, and inspected his car. Police investigations Lt. Ben Newell credited really good investigative work by Detective Steve Vogel in closing what had been considered a cold case. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. [2][29], At a court hearing on July 5, U.S. Magistrate Eric I. Most officers dont even carry 50 bullets on their person, said Champaign police Sgt. His wife was out of town the weekend of the murder. They concluded that the car in the footage belonged to Christensen. Upon arrival, officers located a male victim, later identified as Mr. Roth, who had sustained life-threatening injuries. WRSP/WCCU Fox Illinois provides local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of events and items of interest in the community, sports and entertainment programming for Springfield and . Champaign, IL: Yorkville, IL: U.S. Avg: Difference: Taxes Overall: Federal Income Tax: State Income Tax: Sales Tax (State & Local) Sales Tax on Food: Real property tax on median home: RE trans fee on median home (over 13 yrs) Auto sales taxes (amortized over 6 years) Annual Vehicle Property Taxes on $25K Car: Annual Auto Registration [26] At the time of Zhang's murder, Christensen was in an open marriage, while also dating a girlfriend. As a result, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on July 18, 2019. May 21: James Rooster Coleman, 25, shot during a dice game in a Gramercy Park apartment in the 200 block of South Country Fair Drive; London Taylor, 21, of Urbana, and Keith Baker, 25, of Champaign, awaiting trial for murder. [10] On June 29, Christensen attended a memorial walk for Zhang with his girlfriend. Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES), Kidnapping resulting in death (18 U.S.C. View a list of counties and date spans in Illinois Statewide Death Index . Urbana, IL 444 contributions. Suspect in Homicide Investigation Surrenders to Police - City of Champaign Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. [21][22], The university announced that they planned to install additional, high-definition, security cameras throughout the campus. And she suspects before, or sentenced to death", "Champaign Man Arrested, Charged with Kidnapping Visiting Scholar", "Flowers, anger, regret as accused kidnapper indicted", "Grand Jury Indicts Champaign Man on Charge of Kidnapping", "Accused kidnapper's attorney says he'll plead not guilty today", "Defense in trial of China scholar's brutal death: He did it", "In opening statement, attorney admits Brendt Christensen abducted, killed Chinese scholar at University of Illinois", "Brendt Christensen found guilty in Yingying Zhang's kidnapping, killing", "Life in prison for man convicted of killing Chinese student", "A father's plea to a killer: Tell us where our daughter's remains are", "Yingying Zhang's Family Told Her Body Likely In Landfill Near Danville, But 'May Be Impossible' To Recover", "Finding Yingying Zhang's Remains 'May Be Impossible' Family Says After New Details Surface", "Brendt Christensen Moved to Kentucky Prison to Serve Out Life Sentence", "UI again files motion to have lawsuit from slain scholar's family dismissed", "Visiting Scholar From China, Remembered With A Garden At U Of I", "Memorial garden dedicated to missing scholar Yingying Zhang", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Yingying_Zhang&oldid=1142917489, Anti-Chinese sentiment in the United States, Anti-Chinese violence in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using embedded infobox templates with the title parameter, Articles containing simplified Chinese-language text, Articles containing traditional Chinese-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 5 March 2023, at 00:55. Darker colors represent the lowest and highest rates of diabetes prevalence in Illinois. [11], Zhang then walked to another bus stop a few blocks away at the corner of North Goodwin Avenue and West Clark Street, directly in front of the university's PBS radio and television station, WILL. 17 E. Taylor Street. Long denied bail for Christensen after hearing submissions from the prosecutor and Christensen's attorneys, Evan and Tom Bruno. Over the next two days, Christensen claimed he disposed of Zhang's personal belongings in various dumpsters in the Champaign-Urbana area. 8 Famous Homicides In Illinois - OnlyInYourState This interactive murder mystery event will have you questioning everyone, looking for clues, eavesd!! He believes social media is a factor. 2. The task of entering all Illinois deaths before 1916 is far from complete. THE 10 BEST Museums You'll Want to Visit in Champaign-Urbana - Tripadvisor The information below is shared with hope to gain new information from the public concerning unsolved homicide investigations. [12] Christensen, born June 30, 1989, is a former Ph.D. student at the University of Illinois. Vogel recognized that and thought this could be the suspects blood on the pants. What a game. Description: Mr. Jackson was last seen by his family on November 26, 2011 after leaving home to run errands. There was also a larger number of assaults at 356. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) Candidates for Champaign Mayor, city council and more participated in a forum Sunday at Champaign Public . *Date of occurrence may refer to the time the incident was reported to police. Champaign County, IL Murder Rates and Murder Maps Illinois Crime Rates 1960 to 2019 - Disaster Center The investigation revealed Mr. Ledbetter was robbed and physically assaulted by three unknown assailants. Advanced Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription [48], A documentary about Zhang's parents' search for justice, Finding Yingying, premiered at the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival on August 27, 2020[49] and was released on December 11, 2020, by MTV Documentary Films. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 67 chance of becoming a victim. [A text description of this figure is . Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Two women were found shot in St. Joseph Township, leading to the arrest of 28-year-old . Born in Vietnam, Reginald is a graduate of the . (The US average is 35.4) NOTE: Click on the links below to see charts for each crime category. There were just about twice as many shots fired in Champaign County in 2020 as there were the year before. Game Day. Super 8 by Wyndham Champaign - Tripadvisor Location of Occurrence: 700 block of Hickory St., Champaign Latest I-72 Champaign Illinois News Reports. digital.media, The News-Gazette (Champaign-Urbana) Wed, 05/22/2019 - 5:00am Page 1; Page 2; . . June 3, 2023. Location of Occurrence: 100 block of North State St., Champaign. [12] Christensen's girlfriend was approached by FBI investigators and agreed to wear a wire, thinking that it would exonerate Christensen if he had not committed the crime. Partly cloudy skies. Your chance of being a victim of murder in Champaign County may be as high as 1 in 9,135 in the central neighborhoods, or as . The multi-jurisdictional unit was formed in 2015 in direct response to an increase in gun violence in Champaign-Urbana. Description: On the morning of March 11, Officers responded to an area near a local club in the 700 block of Hickory St. for multiple reports of shots fired. Keying in on the individuals involved in gun crime activities, Coon explained. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Learn More. 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. In 2020, 57 were shot, and 34 in 2019. Its a sign of strength, he said. That was no ordinary crime wave the United States experienced last year. . [2] The MTD stated it is against company policy to stop for pedestrians on the wrong side of the street, as to do so would encourage them to run into oncoming traffic. An Illinois man convicted of killing Yingying Zhang, a Chinese international student studying at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, in 2017 has been sentenced to life in prison. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. UPDATE: Sheldon man charged with first-degree murder in 17-year-old Willy-Ann Hoff is a staple at C-U non-profit HV Neighborhood Transformation these days. Case details: Homicide investigation of Mary Ann Becker (15,000 reward) On Sept. 9, 1974, between the hours of 5:45 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., Mary Ann Becker was discovered dead inside her home in Atkinson. New pill cuts cholesterol, heart attacks, Fiery tanker crash kills driver, burns Maryland homes, Marianne Williamson begins longshot 2024 challenge to Biden. Illinois Man Convicted In Chinese Student Killing Gets Life In Prison [23] However, they determined that there were 18 four-door Saturn Astras registered to owners in the Champaign County area. Champaign council discusses balancing infrastructure needs with Policing must continue to be part of the solution to crime prevention, as well as programs like one being tried in Urbana where a police officer and a social worker will follow up on people involved in mental-health and behavioral-health crises. Anyone with information related to the shooting is encouragedto call Champaign Police at 217-351- 4545. Nov. 12: Gerryontae Brown, 16, shot to death in his own home in the 600 block of East Eureka Street; Calvin Williams, 18, of Champaign, awaiting trial for murder. Population: 12,671,469 United States VIOLENT CRIMES Population: 331,888,310 Property Crime Property Crime Comparison (per 1,000 residents) 100 75 50 25 0 14.84 National Median: 19 Illinois My Chances of Becoming a Victim of a Property Crime 1 in 67 in Illinois Illinois Property CRIMES Population: 12,671,469 United States Property CRIMES Taylor had just exited a cab and was walking away when he was struck from behind and battered by an unknown suspect who took his wallet and fled. Description: Officers responded to the 800 block of N. Randolph after receiving reports of shots fired in the neighborhood. Date of Occurrence: December 18, 2004, at approximately 4:42 a.m. Police said an investigation done then suggested that an unknown person or people forced their way into the home and fired multiple rounds at Mr. Hobbs before fleeing. Electrical engineer and physicist; two time Nobel Prize winner in Physics. Danville averaged a murder each month in 2020, giving the city the seventh highest murder rate in the state. There were 13 homicides in Danville in 2020, or 17.4 per 100,000 people -- well more than double the 6.5 per 100,000 national murder rate. The 2019 Champaign crime rate rose by 17% compared to 2018. The U.S. murder rate jumped by 30% from 2019 to 2020, an increase attributed to a variety of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Cello12345. Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Description: On December 8, 1995, Officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of Gentry Square Ln., for a person found deceased. [10] He asked Hogan to get into his car, she refused, and he drove off. Upon arrival, officers discovered Mr. Ledbetter who was unresponsive near a park bench. We take a look at eight of the most famous homicides in the history of Illinois. The bond on the warrant was set at $2 million. Homicide of Montrez Vonner Date of Occurrence: March 11, 2018, at approximately 1:15 a.m. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that on . The bond on the warrant was set at $2 million. Towels were all over as if the laundry was done right in the office lobby. It was higher than in 89.5% U.S. cities. A former University of Illinois doctoral student was convicted Monday of killing a visiting scholar from China after abducting her at a bus stop as she headed to sign an off-campus apartment. April 6, 2023. The lobby was dark and smelled of cigarettes smoke. The creation of Illinois Statewide Death index is an ongoing project of the Illinois State Archives. AUTHOR TO TALK ABOUT 'BUCKET LIST' BOOK. Some parts 2023 Advameg, Inc. Crime rate in Champaign, Illinois (IL): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map. Designed by Phyllis Williams and Christina Nordholm, the garden consists of pathways stones that were designed to disappear leading to a bench, a weeping cherry tree and a memorial stone. CPD is always working to update this webpage. Champaign Police reminds citizens that information submitted to Crime Stoppers is completely anonymous. Sgt. Pick the brain of veteran News-Gazette columnist Tom Kacich and veteran WDWS/WHMS radio personality Kathy Reiser. The Champaign Police Department has made an arrest in a July 14, 2022, shooting death investigation, officially ruling it a Homicide. Crime rate in Urbana, IL The 2019 crime rate in Urbana, IL is 233 (City-Data.com crime index), which is about the average for the U.S. cities.