On Monday, Nov. 26, 2018, at approximately 10:15 p.m., Champaign Police responded to the 2500 block of West Springfield Avenue for a report of domestic battery by an armed male subject, who is identified as 25-year-old Jerry O’Neal, of Champaign.
Upon arrival, officers learned O’Neal threatened a female with a firearm inside a private residence. The female victim and her children were able to escape physically unharmed while O’Neal refused to exit and barricaded himself inside the premises with another male. At that point, the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) were called to the scene. The other male eventually was able to leave the residence unharmed leaving just O’Neal inside. After several hours and many repeated attempts to communicate with O’Neal, SWAT deployed pepper spray inside the residence, which caused O’Neal to vacate the home. He was subsequently arrested by SWAT members.
As a result of the police investigation, police determined probable cause existed to arrest O’Neal for Domestic Battery, Unlawful Use of a Firearm by a Felon and Aggravated Assault. After being interviewed, he was transported to the Champaign County Jail. Officers executed a search warrant at the residence, which had been signed by a judge. Officers found a handgun inside during the search, which was seized as evidence.
Although an arrest has been made, police continue to investigate the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 217-351-4545. 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.
Champaign Police reminds citizens that information submitted to Crime Stoppers is completely anonymous. 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. Caller ID tracking is not utilized by Crime Stoppers and conversations are not recorded.