Unsolved Homicide Investigations
CPD Detectives are dedicated to investigating every lead possible to help bring justice to individuals, families, and to our community when it is impacted by crime and violence. Every piece of information is valuable, and the partnership of everyday citizens makes all the difference in successfully bringing cases to a close.
The information below is shared with hope to gain new information from the public concerning unsolved homicide investigations. If you, or anyone you know has any bit of information on the following cases, please contact the Champaign Police Investigations Division at 217-403-6900. You can also share information anonymously to Champaign County Crime Stoppers.
*For investigative purposes, police may delay posting open homicide investigations for 120 days following the incident.
*Date of occurrence may refer to the time the incident was reported to police.
Homicide of Shawntiel D Harrison
Date of Occurrence: November 13, 2020, at approximately 3:22 p.m.
Location of Occurrence: 300 block of East Hill St., Champaign
Description: Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of East Hill St. for the report of an individual believed to be deceased inside of a motor vehicle. On scene, officers located Mr. Harrison inside the vehicle with a fatal gunshot wound. Foul play is suspected.
Homicide of Jasma Cobb
Date of Occurrence: August 20, 2020, at approximately 1:51 a.m.
Location of Occurrence: 400 block of East Hill St., Champaign
Description: Officers responded to the 400 block of East Hill St. for reports of shots heard. Upon arrival, officers discovered three shooting victims outside of a private residence: a 20-year-old male and 42- and 34-year-old female. The 34-year-old female, identified as Ms. Cobb, succumbed to her injuries a short time after the incident occurred. The investigation revealed the victims were outside of a private residence standing near a parked car when they were shot by unknown assailant(s) from an open area across the street.
Homicide of Todd Ledbetter
Date of Occurrence: July 1, 2020, at approximately 11:50 p.m.
Location of Occurrence: 100 block of North State St., Champaign
Description: Officers responded to the 100 block of North State St. for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival, officers discovered Mr. Ledbetter who was unresponsive near a park bench. He had been physically battered and was without a pulse. After resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, Mr. Ledbetter was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. The investigation revealed Mr. Ledbetter was robbed and physically assaulted by three unknown assailants.
Homicide of Dondre Moore
Date of Occurrence: October 30, 2018, at approximately 8:44 p.m.
Location of Occurrence: 400 block of West Vine St., Champaign
Description: Upon arriving to the scene in the 400 block of West Vine St., officers located Mr. Moore in the driveway of a private residence suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Homicide of Arnold Farris Hopkins
Date of Occurrence: October 13, 2018, at approximately 1:30 a.m.
Location of Occurrence: 2600 block of Lawndale Dr., Champaign
Description: Officers discovered Mr. Hopkins inside of a private residence with a fatal gunshot wound.
Homicide of Montrez Vonner
Date of Occurrence: March 11, 2018, at approximately 1:15 a.m.
Location of Occurrence: 700 block of Hickory St., Champaign
Description: On the morning of March 11, Officers responded to an area near a local club in the 700 block of Hickory St. for multiple reports of shots fired. Four individuals were identified as sustaining gunshot wounds and were treated at area hospitals. One of the victims, Mr. Vonner, was fatally injured and succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The investigation revealed that a verbal argument could be heard in the area immediately prior to an unknown suspect(s) firing numerous gun shots.
Homicide of Damian Henderson
Date of Occurrence: November 17, 2014, at approximately 10:00 p.m.
Location of Occurrence: 00 – 100 block of Forsynthia Dr., Champaign
Description: Reported November 18, 2014, at 8:13 a.m. officers were dispatched to a check welfare call in the 00-100 block of Forsynthia Dr. for a subject who was unresponsive in a vehicle. Mr. Henderson was determined deceased by an inflicted gunshot wound and foul play was suspected.
Homicide of Lonnie Scheel
Date of Occurrence: August 9, 2014, at approximately 10:03 a.m.
Location of Occurrence: 00 – 100 block of E. Springfield Ave., Champaign
Description: An officer was flagged down to check on an individual who had been found unconscious behind a building in the 00-100 block of E. Springfield Avenue. When officers investigated, they found Mr. Scheel to have apparent injuries and was determined to be deceased.
Homicide of Bobby White
Date of Occurrence: December 17, 2012, at approximately 7:22 p.m.
Location of Occurrence: 200 block of E. Roper, Champaign
Description: Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of E. Roper for a reported armed home invasion. According to reports, two unknown male suspects forced entry into the home firing gunshots; wounding one individual and fatally striking Mr. White.
Homicide of Renard Jackson
Date of Occurrence: Found March 18, 2012
Location of Occurrence: 1500 block of Hedge Rd., Champaign
Description: Mr. Jackson was last seen by his family on November 26, 2011 after leaving home to run errands. Jackson failed to return home or contact any family and was reported missing on November 29, 2011. On March 18, 2012, Mr. Jackson’s body was discovered hidden in the backyard of a vacant house in the 1500 block of Hedge Rd., with suggestion that foul play was involved.
Jackson is described as a Black male, 5’11”, approximately 165 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a Black jacket and riding a “bluish-purple” bicycle.
Homicide of Emanuel Boyd, Jr.
Date of Occurrence: February 15, 2006, at approximately 11:25 a.m.
Location of Occurrence: 1200 block of Clock St., Champaign
Description: Officers responded to the 1200 block of Clock Street for a medical call that described Mr. Boyd as being found unconscious and bleeding. As officers and medical personnel arrived, they determined Mr. Boyd to be deceased with injuries that suggested foul play was involved.
Homicide of Edric Thomas
Date of Occurrence: December 18, 2004, at approximately 4:42 a.m.
Location of Occurrence: 100 block of S. Kenwood Rd., Champaign
Description: Mr. Thomas and his wife were reported to have arrived in Champaign to help Thomas’s mother-in-law to relocate. According to reports, while outside, a Black male, over 6 ft in height, wearing a red “puffy” coat approached Thomas and his wife, demanding money. The suspect shot Mr. Thomas and fled the scene, running Westbound.
Homicide of Helen Melchi
Date of Occurrence: July 1, 2003, at approximately 8:54 p.m.
Location of Occurrence: 1300 block of N. Hickory St., Champaign
Description: Officers were dispatched to investigate a report of a person found deceased. Officers located Ms. Melchi inside her residence, with evidence suggesting that foul play was involved in her death.
Homicide of Garrick McKinney
Date of Occurrence: July 9, 2000, approximately 12:38 a.m.
Location of Occurrence: 1300 block of N. Chestnut St., Champaign
Description: Officers responded to reports of a possible shooting in the 1300 block of N. Chestnut. Upon arrival, Mr. McKinney was found lying in the open doorway of his home, with an apparent gunshot wound.
Homicide of Robert Taylor
Date of Occurrence: September 19, 1997, at approximately 1:40 p.m.
Location of Occurrence: 200 block of E. Springfield Ave., Champaign
Description: Mr. Taylor had just exited a cab and was walking away when he was struck from behind and battered by an unknown suspect who took his wallet and fled. Taylor was transported to an area hospital, where days later he would pass from injuries sustained during the robbery.
Homicide of Shawn Simmons
Date of Occurrence: Approximately December 7, 1995, possibly around 5 p.m.
Location of Occurrence: 1700 block of Gentry Square Ln., Champaign
Description: On December 8, 1995, Officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of Gentry Square Ln., for a person found deceased. Evidence suggests that Mr. Simmons’ death was a homicide, and is believed to have occurred within a 24-hour period of him being found.
Homicide of Jackie Butler
Date of Occurrence: January 25, 1994, approximately 5:54 p.m.
Location of Occurrence: 900 Block of N. Third St., Champaign
Description: Officers were dispatched to assist Champaign Fire for a report of a deceased subject. Forensic evaluations returned to Police would determine that Ms. Butler had been sexually assaulted and that her death involved foul play.
Homicide of Betty Hull
Date/Time of Occurrence: approx December 22 – December 24, 1991
Location of Occurrence: 1100 block of S. Randolph St., Champaign
Description: On December 24, 1991, Officers responded to Ms. Hull’s residence after receiving a report that she had been found unresponsive with traumatic injury. The investigation revealed that Hull had been physically assaulted, including sustaining multiple stab wounds. It is believed that the homicide occurred between the dates of December 22-24, 1991.
Homicide of Eric Beasley
Date of Occurrence: December 20, 1986, at approximately 11:45 p.m.
Location of Occurrence: 800 block of N. Randolph St., Champaign
Description: Officers responded to the 800 block of N. Randolph after receiving reports of shots fired in the neighborhood. Mr. Beasley was found in the street with apparent gunshot wounds.
Homicide of Robert Tatman
Date/Time of Occurrence: November 25, 1967, at approximately 1:00 a.m.
Location of Occurrence: W. Church St., West of Mattis Ave., Champaign
Description: Champaign Police Officer Robert Tatman, service badge #80, was killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop. Shortly after 1:00 a.m. on November 25, Tatman radioed dispatch that he was stopping a vehicle. Minutes later, a passing motorist used Tatman’s squad car radio to notify dispatch that there was an unresponsive policeman lying near his vehicle. Officer Tatman was pronounced deceased on the scene from an apparent gunshot wound.
CPD is always working to update this webpage. If your loved one’s picture does not appear on this page, please email us at [email protected] or mail information and photo to:
Community Services – Investigations Webpage
Champaign Police Department
82 E. University Ave.
Champaign, IL 61820
Please provide the name and date of birth of your loved one. If a photo is mailed in, please let us know if you would like it to be returned and include a return address.
Contact Us
Champaign Police Department
82 E. University Ave.
Champaign, IL 61820
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergency: 217-333-8911
Front Desk: 217-351-4545
217-403-6904 (fax)
