A Champaign man has been charged in a July 2024 shooting incident that left two Champaign teens dead, and two others injured.
Champaign Police were dispatched at 12:34 a.m. on July 28, 2024, to the 2000 block of Cynthia Drive for a report of a shooting with injuries. Upon arrival, officers located multiple people suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Champaign Police Officers and personnel from the Champaign Fire Department worked quickly to render immediate medical aid until patients could be transported to an area hospital. A short time later, a victim arrived at an area hospital by personal transport and officers were immediately dispatched to the hospital to conduct interviews. Among the victims was 18-year-old George Dorris-Rodgers of Champaign with a life-threatening gunshot wound to the chest and 18-year-old Daniyjah Staple of Champaign with life-threatening gunshot wounds to her leg and torso. Both were transported to an area hospital where they later succumbed to their injuries. Additionally, two other people were injured during the shooting, a 25-year-old woman who was treated and released for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to her arm and a 15-year-old boy who was treated and released for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his leg.
The investigation indicated that people were gathered in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 2000 block of Cynthia Drive when individuals including Corey Butler, 22, of Champaign, produced firearms and opened fire. As a result of the gunfire, the four victims were struck. In addition to the injuries, property damage was reported to one vehicle. On March 27, 2025, after an extensive investigation by the Champaign Police Department, Butler was charged for his involvement in this case, including multiple counts for Murder and one count for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Butler was already in custody at the Champaign County Correctional Facility at the time he was charged.
Even though an arrest has been made, this remains an ongoing investigation. Officers continue to seek witnesses and video footage that may be of investigative assistance. 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.