On March 23, 2018, at approximately 12:09 a.m., Champaign Police responded to the 100 block of Apricot Drive for a report of gunshots being heard. Upon arrival, officers located 18-year-old Ricky Green of Urbana, who suffered a life-threatening gunshot wound. On-scene medical care was immediately provided, and the victim was transported to an area hospital where he would later succumb to his injuries.
On Jan. 31, 2020, following an extensive investigation by Champaign Police, the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Michael Simmons, 22, for the offense of Murder. Bond on the warrant was set at $1 million. Simmons’ last known address was listed in the 2500 block of Myers Court of Champaign.
On Feb. 27, 2020, at 10 a.m., the United States Marshals Service with assistance from the Champaign County Street Crimes Task Force arrested Simmons without incident in the 2000 block of Moreland Boulevard. He is currently being held at the Champaign County Correctional Center where he is awaiting future court proceedings.
Simmons is the second suspect arrested in the homicide investigation. On Feb. 4, 2020, Micheal Chatman, 20, was also arrested for the offense of Murder.
The Champaign Police Department would like to thank the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office and the United States Marshals Service for their assistance during this investigation.
Although an arrest has been made, this remains an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to please call police 217-351-4545. Arrangements can be made for information to be shared privately. 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.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.