A Champaign teenager has been arrested for his role in a February 2026 shooting incident. On Feb. 18, 2026, Champaign Police were dispatched at 10:53 p.m. following reports of gunfire heard on Stratford Drive. 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. The victim continues to recover from his injuries.
The initial investigation indicated that the man was in the 900 block of Stratford Drive when a 17-year-old subject opened fire, injuring him. The victim then fled the area in a vehicle while calling for assistance. The 17-year-old was arrested during the service of a search warrant in the 400 block of Briar Lane on March 19, 2026. Initial charges in the arrest included Aggravated Battery with a Firearm and Attempted Murder. A second juvenile – a 16-year-old from Champaign – was also arrested at the scene for unlawful possession of ammunition. Two firearms were located at the scene and taken into evidence. Because of the ages of the individuals arrested, additional information about this case is very limited.
Even with an arrest, this remains an ongoing investigation. 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. Future updates may be provided as they become available.
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.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.