This afternoon, based on the preliminary investigation by the Champaign Police Department, the Champaign County State’s Attorney filed a petition in juvenile court for charges of Involuntary Manslaughter and Unlawful Use of a Weapon for a 15-year-old male’s involvement in the shooting death of 14-year-old Elijah Booker.
On May 11, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Champaign Police responded to a private residence in the 1600 block of Hedge Road. Upon arrival, officers located Mr. Booker with life-threatening injuries from an apparent gunshot wound. He would later succumb to his injuries at a local hospital. A 17-year-old was also hit by gunfire and sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated and released from the hospital later that day.
The preliminary investigation suggests it is likely the 15-year-old inadvertently discharged the firearm inside the residence, fatally wounding Mr. Booker and causing the non-life-threatening injuries to the 17-year-old.
Police are currently seeking the whereabouts of the 15-year-old, who has not been cooperative thus far in the investigation. In light of an inability to locate him, a juvenile court warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Although charges have been filed, this remains an active investigation and anyone with information on the shooting is encouraged to call Champaign Police at 217-351- 4545. Police will arrange to speak privately with you. 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.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.