Contact:
Deputy Chief Troy Daniels, 217-403-6909, [email protected]
UPDATE to NEWS RELEASE: Jayvon Nichols-Pelmore was arrested by Champaign Police on a juvenile Warrant of Apprehension today, 3/31/2015, at approximately 3:25 p.m. The arrest took place in the 1500 block of Westfield Drive, Champaign. Jayvon Nichols-Pelmore voluntarily surrendered to arrest at that location. Police continue to look for the gun that was involved in the accidental shooting on Saturday, March 28th, in the 1700 Block of Clover Lane.
Champaign Police Investigate Accidental Shooting, Advise on Firearm Safety
On Saturday, March 28 at approximately 6:00PM, the Champaign Police Department responded to the 1700 Block of Clover Lane for a reported shooting. Upon investigation, Police found that a 17-year-old female had been allegedly shot in the right leg by a friend—16-year-old Jayvon Nichols-Pelmore. All information obtained from the investigation indicates that the use of the firearm was an accident, however, Nichols-Pelmore fled the scene and Police have yet to find and take him into custody. The victim was transported to Carle Hospital for a non-life threatening injury.
Police reports show that a group of (5) teens were gathered at the home on Clover Lane before leaving to attend a birthday party. During the gathering, Nichols-Pelmore allegedly pulled out a handgun to “show off”. While showcasing the gun, the weapon accidentally went off and struck the 17-year-old female victim. The victim was sitting on a couch to the left of Nichols-Pelmore, who apologized profusely before fleeing the scene. Friends of the victim immediately applied pressure and medical aid to the wound until Police and medics arrived. A 4-year-old and 6-year-old were also present when the gun was fired.
Jayvon Nichols-Pelmore is currently listed as a missing endangered runaway and a Champaign Warrant of Apprehension has been issued. Police are investigating and ask that anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jayvon Nichols-Pelmore contact Champaign Police at 217-351-4545. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477 (TIPS); online at www.373tips.com; or by texting “CCTIP” plus the crime information to 274637 (CRIMES).
ATTACHMENT:
Missing Child Poster_Jayvon Nichols-Pelmore
Champaign Police also advises the public that incidents such as these are reminders to talk with children, students, and families about the dangers of gun play and the importance of firearm safety. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, an average of 1 in 9 children ages 19 and under will be seen in an emergency department for a non-fatal unintentional injury, such as fires, drownings, and firearm injuries. Moreover, in 2012 over 8,000 children ages 19 and under died from unintentional injuries.
To help prevent these risks as it specifically involves firearms, Champaign PD encourages dialogue around the following safety tips for youth and families:
- Always assume that a gun is loaded
- Never point a gun at another person
- A gun is not a toy and should not be handled as such
- Do not show off guns to friends or schoolmates
- Do not tell friends or schoolmates if a gun is in your house
- If there is a gun in the home, it should be unloaded and locked away from the sight and reach of children
- Bullets should always be stored in a separate, locked place
- Keep keys and combinations for gun lock boxes hidden
- When a gun is not in its lock box, keep it in your line of sight
- Make sure all guns are equipped with effective, child-resistant gun locks
For questions on firearm safety, please contact the Champaign Police Department at 217-351-4545.