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. He started at WILL in October of 2019 after serving as News Director for WKAR in East Lansing, Michigan. [A text description of this figure is . Four individuals were identified as sustaining gunshot wounds and were treated at area hospitals. Champaign man who fatally shot friend outside American Legion gets 65 years. Date of Occurrence: December 20, 1986, at approximately 11:45p.m. A 21-year-old Champaign man was shot and killed early Sunday in north Champaign. Although an arrest has been made, this is still an active investigation. Christensen was tried and convicted of one count of kidnapping resulting in death and two counts of making false statements to agents of the FBI, but the jury deadlocked on whether or not to impose the death penalty. 1201), Making false statements (18 U.S.C. Campbell is currently serving an eight-year sentence for selling crack cocaine in the summer of 2019. In 2020, 57 were shot, and 34 in 2019. 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. [31][12][32] The FBI report noted that in April, before the alleged kidnapping, Christensen used his cellphone to access the sexual fetish website Fetlife, visiting forums such as "Abduction 101". Location of Occurrence: 700 block of Hickory St., Champaign. Police plea for more witnesses of gun-related crime to come forward, something they say is a primary hindrance in solving cases. Description: Mr. Jackson was last seen by his family on November 26, 2011 after leaving home to run errands. [10] Hogan reported this to the police and posted about the incident on social media. When Yessenia Suarez and her two young kids, Thalia and Michael Otto, go missing from their home in Deltona, Florida, all eyes turn to her husband, Luis Toledo. He had been physically battered and was without a pulse. 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. There were 11 homicides in the two . Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, and in that role looks for and arrests men wanted for violent crimes. Low 32F. Illinois Death Records Indexes, Obituaries and Cemeteries by County. Mr. Henderson was determined deceased by an inflicted gunshot wound and foul play was suspected. 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. Stateman Hoffs life was cut short when a fight broke out at a party in northwest Champaign in 2016. [10] After picking up Zhang later that morning and taking her back to his apartment, Christensen choked, raped, and stabbed her in his bedroom before dragging her to his bathroom where he beat her with a baseball bat and decapitated her. Thats not what were talking about. He also doesnt believe its a gang problem per se, but rather, allegiances among friends. While newly released FBI data shows a troubling increase in homicides in C-U, Illinois and the nation last year, some perspective is needed. A press release from CPD says the findings are consistent with crime trends nationwide. Listen Now MURDERED: Tracy Kirkpatrick When 17-year-old Tracy Kirkpatrick is found murdered in March 1989, investigators struggle to find any evidence pointing to who killed her. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 67 chance of becoming a victim. Upon arrival, Mr. McKinney was found lying in the open doorway of his home, with an apparent gunshot wound. $48/person. Upon arrival, officers located 34-year-old Latoya Gwin [], On October 20, 2021, at approximately 10:37 p.m., Champaign Police responded to the 200 block ofKenwoodRoad for the report of a shooting with injuries. . He told the court that Christensen had attended a vigil held for Zhang on June 29, where he had described "the characteristics of his ideal victim", and had pointed out those in the crowd who matched them. [45], On October 11, 2018, a memorial garden was dedicated in honor of Zhang at the corner of North Goodwin Avenue and West Clark Street. 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. Biden surveys Ida cleanup in, Newsfeed Now: UPS driver spreads joy with TikTok, Newsfeed Now: Hurricane Ida death toll rises after, Newsfeed Now: Supreme Court allows Texas abortion, Newsfeed Now: Pres. You have permission to edit this article. *For investigative purposes, police may delay posting open homicide investigations for 120 days following the incident. Location of Occurrence: 00 100 block of Forsynthia Dr., Champaign. On March 18, 2012, Mr. Jacksons body was discovered hidden in the backyard of a vacant house in the 1500 block of Hedge Rd., with suggestion that foul play was involved. When he came around family, he would always put a smile on his face and just kissy, kissy, just loving type of son, he reminisced. Green counties have prevalences below the state rate of 9.1%, and red counties have prevalences at 9.1% or higher. Gun sales also soared during the pandemic, and 77 percent of the homicides last year were committed with a firearm. One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021. [], 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. 52 shots fired incidents reported in first 14 weeks of 2021. Mary Jane was born in Dayton, Pa., on April 21, 1930. Anyone with information related to the shooting is encouragedto call Champaign Police at 217-351- 4545. The bond on the warrant was set at $2 million. That was no ordinary crime wave the United States experienced last year. When: Sept. 9, 1974. 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. The circumstances of Mary Ann Becker's death resulted in a homicide investigation involving multiple police agencies. 1,374 views 0 comments 3 Gia Marie Wright Sep 14, 2018 8 min Learn More. Location of Occurrence: 1200 block of Clock 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. Christensen lured Zhang into his car at a bus stop on campus posing as a police officer with the promise of a ride after she missed a bus, but then took her to his apartment where he raped and murdered her while his wife was out of town for the weekend. Recovery of Zhang's remains would be difficult and a search for her remains has not begun. There were 11 homicides in the two cities, including nine in Champaign. GLEN ELLYN, IL It was over 30 years ago when 15-year-old Kristy Wesselman left her suburban home to pick up a candy bar and some soda from a nearby grocery store. [2] Zhang planned to marry her boyfriend, Xiaolin Hou, in October 2017. According to reports, while outside, a Black male, over 6 ft in height, wearing a red puffy coat approached Thomas and his wife, demanding money. Surveillance video cameras showed that a black Saturn Astra passed by her at 2:00p.m. as she waited at the bus stop, and then circled back around and stopped where she was waiting at 2:03p.m.[2][12][13] She spoke to the driver for approximately one minute, and then entered the car. Seems like theres a curse in this town, seems like theres a dark cloud, Hoff told WCIA 3 Thursday. 500 E. Peabody Dr. Champaign, Illinois 61820 . What a game. Of the more than 200 shootings this year in Champaign County between January 1 and June 1, only 25 made it to her desk. Description: Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of East Hill St. for the report of an individual believed to be deceased inside of a motor vehicle. Date of Occurrence: November 17, 2014, at approximately 10:00p.m. Two of the other homicides were caused by beatings and the third from a stabbing. There was a fire reported at his. [19] On August 19, Zhang's mother and younger brother also flew to the United States. [10], On June 24, 2019, the 12-member jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning its verdict. [6] Zhang was a visiting scholar in the Chinese Academy of Sciences[3] before travelling to the United States. He believes social media is a factor. One of these vehicles was registered to Brendt Allen Christensen, a Champaign resident. The latter topped 2,014 in 2019. The previous high was four. Over the next two days, Christensen claimed he disposed of Zhang's personal belongings in various dumpsters in the Champaign-Urbana area. 2021 End of Year Gun Violen by Neil Street, Its alarming, Champaign Deputy Chief Geoff Coon said. 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 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)- The number of people murdered in the City of Champaign reached an all-time high in 2021. Illinois crime rates, Illinois crime stats, Illinois crime report, FBI Uniform Crime Reports Illinois Crime Rates 1960 to 2019 Illinois Crime Rates 1960 - 2019 The data in the crime reports is derived from the annual Uniform Crime Reports issued by the FBI until 2020, at which time the FBI Date of Occurrence: December 18, 2004, at approximately 4:42 a.m. Pick the brain of veteran News-Gazette columnist Tom Kacich and veteran WDWS/WHMS radio personality Kathy Reiser. 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. 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. Champaign, Illinois, United States . Upon arrival, officers located a 16-year-old male inside of a private residence with a life-threatening gunshot wound. Of those, Reitz says 24 cases have been charged. Non-emergency: 217-333-8911 Champaign and Urbana mirrored the national trends. (The US average is 35.4) NOTE: Click on the links below to see charts for each crime category. Date of Occurrence: October 13, 2018, at approximately 1:30 a.m. A federal jury has found Brendt Christensen guilty. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by phone at: 217- 373-8477 (TIPS); online at, Suspect in Homicide Investigation Surrenders to Police. July 1: Todd Ledbetter, 56, homeless of Champaign, beaten to death; found on a bench on State Street, across from West Side Park in Champaign; no arrests. Date of Occurrence: July 1, 2003, at approximately 8:54p.m. Feb 28, 2023 at 11:23 am. Not at a what I expected of a Wyndham Hotel property. 0. Sometimes people have been as brazen as to, you know, mark their location and challenge somebody.. [2][28] Concurrent with this questioning, agents at Christensen's apartment sought and obtained written permission from another occupant of the residence for search and seizure of items at the residence. . Newell said that Vogel found that there was blood on Mr. Hobbs pants that appeared to have dropped straight down. [2][33] Christensen had no prior criminal record and no record of disciplinary problems at the university. Champaign Police and Champaign Fire rendered medical aid until Ms. Ingram-Triner was transported [], On Thursday, July 29, at approximately 7:36 p.m., Champaign Police were notified of a missing 14-year-old juvenile from the 900 block of Harvard Street, Champaign. PEORIA, Ill. (WLS) -- During opening statements in the trial of a man accused of killing a Chinese scholar at the University of Illinois Wednesday, the defense for Brendt Christensen acknowledged. Seraphin says there are many things to look for in order to count an incident as a shooting. Officers immediately began lifesaving attempts until the victim was able [], Charges Filed in July 14, 2022, Shooting Death Investigation, Arrest Made in Champaign Park Apartments Homicide, Champaign Police, Champaign County Sheriffs Office, and Champaign County Coroners Office Investigating Homicide, Champaign County States Attorneys Office, Homicide Investigation 3000 Block of Edward Hoffman Drive, One Deceased, Four injured, in Afternoon Shooting, Homicide Investigation- 500 Block East Beardsley Avenue, Warrant Issued, Suspect in Custody in Nov. 12 Homicide Investigation, Champaign Police Investigating Early Evening Homicide, Arrest Made in February 3, 2020, Homicide Investigation, Homicide Investigation 100 Block of North State Street. You have permission to edit this article. Adams County: Quincy Public Library Historical Newspaper Archive, 1835-1919; Adams County: Card Index to Deaths, 1877-1990 at FamilySearch Adams County: Greenmount Cemetery Burials in Quincy, Illinois Sgt. Agents took possession of computers and a cellphone belonging to Christensen, and subsequently sought and obtained a federal search warrant for a forensic examination of the phone.