The Champaign, Urbana, and University of Illinois Police Departments and Champaign County Sheriff’s Office informed the community yesterday about a recent surge of incidents in the Urbana-Champaign area related to the aggravated discharge of a firearm.
It was reported that two feuding groups fired numerous gunshots into targeted homes and cars. No injuries were reported, but a total of 28 people, including 17 children, were in some of those targeted homes at the times of the shootings. (For that full press release, see: https://champaignil.gov/2015/02/18/area-police-collaborate-in-response-to-recent-shootings/
As a result of police investigations surrounding these incidents, two 17-year old juvenile arrests have been made. The suspects were arrested on unrelated charges and have not been charged at this time. Investigative leads indicate that these firearm incidents appear to be related to the unsolved homicide of Rakim Vineyard. Police are still actively investigating Mr. Vineyard’s homicide and are asking for public information on this case.
Police continue to work diligently to solve all of these crimes. Increased police patrol in the targeted areas continues. The community is reminded to remain alert and to make note of any suspicious behaviors. Police urge the public’s support in reporting any information related to these offenses, in a united effort to keep our neighborhoods safe.
If citizens have access to photographs, video, or information related to the shootings, they are being asked to share it with any of the four police agencies listed above, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (217) 373-8477 (TIPS). Anonymous tips can also be submitted online to Crime Stoppers at champaigncountycrimestoppers.com or by texting the following:
CCTIP plus the information to 274637 (CRIMES). Crime Stoppers will pay a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for these crimes.