On October 7, 2021, at approximately 3:12 a.m., Champaign Police responded to the 500 block of West White Street for the report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers located 42-year-old Charles Evans in an alley suffering from multiple life-threatening gunshot wounds to his torso and arm. Responding officers rendered medical aid until Evans was transported to a local hospital. He succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
The investigation indicated that prior to the shooting, the victim was attending a gathering inside a nearby apartment when an altercation was believed to have occurred.
On June 1, 2022, the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office arraigned Demarco Lucas, 35, of Champaign on a charge of first-degree murder. Lucas was arrested on May 31 on a warrant previously issued by the Champaign County States Attorney and remains in the custody of the Champaign County Correctional Center awaiting trial.
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, the investigation is ongoing, and anyone with additional information is asked to please contact police at 217-351-4545. Arrangements may be made for information to be shared privately. If you wish to remain anonymous you 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.