Champaign Police were dispatched to the area near the 1000 block of Stratford Drive at 10:53 p.m. on Feb. 18, 2026, following reports of gunfire heard in the area. While responding to the reported location, a call came in from an injured victim, who was located in the 1600 block of Sangamon Drive in Champaign. The officers quickly diverted to his location to render aid, locating a 26-year-old man with multiple potentially life-threatening gunshot wounds. Officers immediately administered medical assistance with help from the Champaign Fire Department until the victim could be transported to an area hospital. He remains hospitalized in critical condition.
The initial investigation indicated that the man was in the 900 block of Stratford Drive when an unknown subject or subjects opened fire, injuring him. The victim then fled the area in a vehicle while calling for assistance. The reason for the gunfire remains unknown at this time, but investigators are pursuing every lead and seeking assistance from the community to determine what led to this incident and who is responsible.
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. No arrests have been made at this time and the investigation is ongoing. 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.
Residents 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.