For Immediate Release
August 4, 2015
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, August 4, 2015, the Rantoul Police Department received information regarding a person who was a suspect in an armed robbery at the Rantoul Hardee’s Restaurant on Sunday, August 2, at approximately 10:40 PM. Security camera photos of the armed robbery were distributed to the community on Aug 3. In response, Police received two independent tips that eventually led police to the Days Inn Hotel at 801 W. Champaign Ave., Rantoul.
At about 3:44 AM on Tuesday, responding officers found the individual had barricaded himself in his hotel room. Police requested dispatch of the METRO (Metropolitan Emergency Tactical Response Operations) team, comprised of officers from the Rantoul Police, Urbana Police, Parkland College Police, University of Illinois Police and Champaign County Sheriff’s Office. The Champaign Police SWAT unit was called at 7:00 AM and relieved a portion of the METRO team at approximately 9:00 AM.
Negotiators on the scene spent approximately six hours negotiating with the subject to remove himself from the room, without any cooperation. Over the course of negotiations, it was reported that numerous times the subject threatened to harm himself, others in the area, and officers. After continued negotiations failed, police deployed gas into the room. During the course of resolution of the incident, a Champaign Police officer fired one shot, striking the subject.
Officers and paramedics on scene immediately provided medical treatment to the individual, and he was transported to Carle Foundation Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 12:43 PM from the gunshot wound. The identity of the individual is being withheld pending the family notification.
Rantoul Police Chief, Paul Farber stated, “This is an unfortunate incident that we all hope never faces our community. We strive to preserve the lives of all people and are deeply affected at the loss of any life.”
This incident is under investigation by the Champaign County multi-jurisdictional investigative team, led by the Illinois State Police. The Champaign County State’s Attorney and the Champaign County Coroner are assisting with the investigation. Limited information is available at this time, as investigators have not yet collected all of the evidence and continue to interview those involved.
Police are asking community members to allow investigators time to work through all of the available evidence. The investigation will be very detailed in scope, and limited information may be available initially. Police will issue regular updates as soon as new details become available and are verified.
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