An Urbana man has been arrested for his role in a July 4, 2025, shooting incident that killed a Champaign man. Champaign Police were dispatched to the 1900 block of W. Bradley Avenue after multiple reports of a shooting with injuries were received at 12:36 a.m. on July 4, 2025. As officers were on-scene and investigating the incident, 32-year-old Martez Jones of Champaign arrived at an area hospital by personal transport. Jones was immediately taken to surgery in critical condition, but he tragically succumbed to his injuries.
The initial investigation indicates that the victim was outside of a business when multiple shots were fired by 37-year-old Rynell Frazier of Urbana and Jones was struck. Frazier then fled the area, and Jones was transported to the hospital. In addition to the man’s injuries, damage has also been reported to several vehicles. A warrant for Frazier’s arrest was issued on July 4, 2025, but Frazier was not located until July 17, 2025, when he was arrested in Merrillville, Indiana. Officers with the Champaign Police Department are making arrangements for Frazier to be transported back to the Champaign County Correction Facility for arraignment.
Even with an arrest, this remains an ongoing investigation. Officers continue to seek 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.