On April 6, 2022, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Champaign Police responded to the 1400 Block of Peppermill Lane following reports of a possible stabbing. Upon arrival, officers discovered 49-year-old Nzengeli Mfwamba unresponsive outside a private residence suffering from life-threatening wounds and immediately rendered medical aid. Mfwamba was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation suggests that Dominic Fortune, 24, of Palatine – who was known to the victim – attacked Mfwamba outside the home. During the attack, Fortune struck him with a blunt instrument and stabbed him repeatedly with a knife before fleeing the scene. Officers located Fortune not far from the residence while conducting a search of the area.
On April 7, 2022, the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office charged with First Degree Murder in relation to this incident. Fortune is presently in custody at the Champaign County Correctional Center.
The Champaign Police Department would like to thank the Champaign County States Attorney’s Office, University of Illinois Police Department, Rantoul Police Department, and Champaign County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance during this investigation.
Although an arrest has been made, the investigation is ongoing, and 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.