Media Contact: Lt. David Shaffer | 217-403-7030 | [email protected]
On December 14, 2016, at approximately 6:08 PM, Champaign Police were dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of N. James St. after receiving report of a gunshot victim at this location. Upon arrival, officers located a 24-year-old female with an apparent life-threatening gunshot wound to the back. Medical personnel arrived on scene and the victim was rushed to an area hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
Simultaneously, when officers arrived on scene, a dark colored vehicle was observed leaving the residence at a high rate of speed. Police attempted to catch up to the vehicle, but lost sight of the vehicle due to the driver’s high speed and erratic driving.
Minutes later, police were notified that the same vehicle was in a traffic crash with two other vehicles at the intersection of Springfield Avenue and Neil Street. A witness to the accident was able to describe the driver as he ran from the wreck, and a Champaign County Sheriff’s Deputy who was assisting in the search located the suspect a short time later near the area of Neil Street and Kirby Avenue.
As a result of the incident and preliminary investigation, Champaign Police Detectives arrested the victim’s husband, 25-year-old Deresheo D. Carter of Champaign for the offenses of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm and Domestic Battery. Carter was transported to the Champaign County Correctional Center pending formal arraignment in court.
The preliminary investigation reveals that Carter and the victim may have been involved in a domestic dispute that turned tragic. Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the shooting.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to please contact the Champaign Police Department Investigations Division at 217-351-4545.
Information may also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers calls are routed to a third-party national call center that receives the information, completes a tips information form, and passes the tip information to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Caller ID tracking is not utilized by Crime Stoppers, and conversations are not recorded.
Anonymous tips can be shared by phone at: 217-373-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.373tips.com.