On Sept. 20, 2021, at approximately 7:50 p.m., Champaign Police Officers heard multiple rounds of gunfire coming from the area of an apartment complex located in the 1100 block of North 3rd Street. Upon arrival, officers observed a black sedan fleeing the area at a high rate of speed.
As another officer was responding to the scene, the vehicle matching the description of the car that fled the area of the shooting was observed driving southbound on 4th Street and Washington Street. The car was seen violating multiple traffic signals, disobeying stop signs, and failing to yield to emergency vehicles while continuing to accelerate away from law enforcement. As the initial investigation progressed, an officer was informed by a bicyclist that a car crash had just occurred in front of 512 South 3rd Street. Officers immediately responded and located a two-vehicle crash scene and observed a male exiting a car that matched the suspect vehicle description. The male fled the crash scene on foot while ignoring police commands. Two officers gave chase and apprehended the suspect a short time later. Two firearms, extended magazines and cannabis were located inside the suspect’s vehicle.
The suspect, identified as Kejuan Carter, 23, of Rantoul, was arrested on preliminary charges of Armed Violence, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Reckless Driving and Resisting a Peace Officer. Carter was transported to the Champaign County Satellite Jail where he is awaiting future court proceedings.
A shooting scene was ultimately located at the apartment complex with multiple shell casings recovered. No injuries were reported to police in the shooting or by the innocent occupant of the second car involved in the vehicle crash.
Any resident or business in the nearby area with exterior surveillance camera systems is encouraged to notify the police department. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing and 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.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.