On September 9, 2021, at approximately 2:48 p.m., Champaign Police responded to the area of Neil Street and Arcadia Drive for the report of shots fired, and then learned multiple vehicles were involved in a crash at the intersection of Moreland and Town Center boulevard. Upon arrival to the crash scene, officers located a 34-year-old male with non-life-threatening injuries. The male was transported to a local hospital and is expected to be released. It is undetermined if the injuries sustained were from a gunshot graze wound or debris from the crash.
The preliminary investigation indicates the 34-year-old was the driver of a Black SUV that was traveling northbound on Neil Street when it was struck by gunfire, believed to be from a passing vehicle, that led to it crashing at Moreland and Town Center boulevard. During the gunfire, a Champaign Unit 4 School Bus was struck by a single round of gunfire while transporting students home. No students or staff were injured.
Any resident or business in the nearby area with exterior surveillance camera systems is encouraged to notify the police department. It is believed video footage may be of investigative assistance. No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation is ongoing. Future updates may be provided as they become available.
Champaign Police ask that anyone who has additional information 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.
Citizens are reminded 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.