Shooting Investigations – 5th and Washington Street; 4th and Eureka Street

On July 15, 2020, at approximately 2:13 p.m., Champaign Police responded to 5th and Washington Streets after hearing gunfire while patrolling. Two individuals were observed running from the area, and two firearms were recovered in their flight path. Neither individual was apprehended. A shooting scene was located at 5th and Washington Streets and property damage was identified to a private residence. No injuries were reported to police from this incident.

At approximately 2:18 p.m., while officers were investigating the shots fired at 5th and Washington Streets, police were called to 4th and Eureka Streets for the report of a shooting victim. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 19-year-old female suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to her leg. Champaign Police immediately applied a tourniquet and the victim was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.

In connection to the shooting at 4th and Eureka Street, two suspects, a 16-year-old juvenile male and Omarion Purnell, an 18-year-old Urbana male, were arrested for their alleged involvement. Both are awaiting future court proceedings.

These are believed to be two separate incidents and police continue to investigate if they are related.  Police seized five firearms between the two shooting events.

Any resident or business in the nearby area with exterior surveillance camera systems is encouraged to contact the police department. It is believed video footage may be of investigative assistance.

The investigation is ongoing and future updates may be provided as they become available.

Anyone who has information about this incident is asked to please contact police at 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.

Crime Stoppers will pay a reward of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for this crime.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.