An Urbana man has been arrested following an investigation into a shooting incident in west Champaign. Champaign Police were dispatched at 1:43 a.m. on June 1, 2024, to the 100 block of S. Mattis Avenue for a report of a shooting with injuries. Upon arrival, officers located a 30-year-old male victim from Champaign with multiple potentially life-threatening gunshot wounds. Officers and personnel from the Champaign Fire Department immediately rendered medical aid until the man could be transported to an area hospital. Additionally, a second victim – a 24-year-old male from Champaign – arrived at an area hospital a short time later with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the torso. Both victims were treated for their injuries and later released.
The investigation indicated that the victims were in the parking lot of a business near the intersection of Mattis & University when Donnie Caldwell, Jr., 27, of Urbana, fired multiple shots, and the men were struck. The victims then fled the area to seek help. Caldwell was arrested on October 23, 2024, in the 1500 block of Hedge Road in Champaign on initial charges of Attempted Murder in the first degree and two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm. He remains in custody at the Champaign County Correctional Facility.
Even though an arrest has been made, the investigation remains ongoing. Officers continue to canvass the surrounding area for witnesses and video footage that may be of investigative assistance. Any resident or business in the nearby area with exterior surveillance camera systems is encouraged to notify the police department. Future updates may be provided as they become available.
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.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.