On Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, at approximately 7: 26 p.m., Champaign Police responded to the 800 block of South Mattis Avenue following initial reports of a vehicle burglary in progress. While responding, officers received reports about possible shots being fired in the area. Upon arrival, officers substantiated the shots fired report, finding four shell casings at the scene.
Following an initial canvass of the scene, property damage was found to one vehicle and an apartment balcony consistent with gunfire. No injuries have been reported and there is no available suspect information currently. Preliminary information suggests this was not a random act of violence.
Champaign Police are processing evidence and actively working to identify the circumstances leading up to the incident. If any resident in the 800 block of South Mattis has exterior home surveillance camera systems, please contact the police department. It is believed video footage may be of investigative assistance.
Future updates may be provided as they become available.
Police ask anyone who may have information or who was in the area at the time of the shooting to contact police at 217-351-4545. Arrangements can be made for information to be shared privately with police. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may also submit tips to Crime Stoppers by phone at: 217-373-8477 (TIPS); online at 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.
Crime Stoppers will pay a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for this crime.