Champaign Police were on patrol when they heard gunfire and saw numerous vehicles leaving the parking lot of a business in the 700 block of N. Hickory Street. Upon arrival, officers located evidence of an injured person, but found no shell casings and the person had left the area. Minutes later, a 31-year-old male from Urbana walked into an area hospital with a single non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the hand. Officers went to the hospital to interview him about his injuries, and he remains in stable condition.
The initial investigation indicates that the man was in the parking lot when he heard gunfire and attempted to unholster his own legally owned firearm. In doing so, the weapon was discharged, and the man was struck in the hand. He was issued a notice to appear for Negligent Discharge of a Firearm.
Officers continue to work with nearby businesses to identify the source of the initial shots heard that led to this self-inflicted shooting incident. Any resident or business in the nearby area with exterior surveillance camera systems is encouraged to notify the police department. It is believed video footage may be of investigative assistance. At this time, the investigation is ongoing. Future updates may be provided as they become available.
Champaign Police ask that anyone who has additional information please contact police at 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.
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.