Champaign Police have been informed that the victim of a February 8 shooting incident has passed away due to his injuries at a local hospital. This investigation has been reclassified as a Homicide.
Champaign Police were dispatched at 3:19 p.m. on February 8, 2024, to the 100 block of N. Market Street for a report of a shooting with injuries. On-scene, officers located Brandon Hardway, 45, of Champaign with a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound to the torso. Officers from the Champaign Police Department quickly rendered medical aid with assistance from the Champaign Fire Department until the man could be transported to an area hospital. In the early hours of February 17, 2024, the victim succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation indicates that the victim was approached by Fidele Tshimanga, 24, of Urbana, who produced a firearm and opened fire before fleeing the scene. Additional officers arriving in the area quickly apprehended Tshimanga for his role in this incident. He was transported to the Champaign County Correctional Facility, where he remains, awaiting trial. A firearm was recovered during this investigation. Champaign Police have shared news of the victim’s passing with the Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office, and they have shared their intent to amend charges against Tshimanga.
Even though an arrest has been made, the investigation remains ongoing. Officers continue to seek witnesses and video footage that may be of investigative assistance. Champaign Police ask that anyone who has additional information please call 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 cash rewards of $5,000 for tips that lead to an arrest in any homicide case, $2,500 for tips leading to an arrest in a felony crime involving a firearm, and up to $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for any other crime.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.