UPDATE: Tornado watch issued until 3 p.m. Roselle man in custody in 2021 shooting of North Prospect Avenue motorist, Good Morning, Illini Nation: Big Ten standings update, Epps 'doing better' after hospitalization, Bob's buzzer beaters | 'What a game. UPDATE: Tornado watch issued until 3 p.m. Roselle man in custody in 2021 shooting of North Prospect Avenue motorist, Good Morning, Illini Nation: Big Ten standings update, Epps 'doing better' after hospitalization, Bob's buzzer beaters | 'What a game. Homicides were up almost 30 percent nationally, a total of 21,570 for the year. The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. AUTHOR TO TALK ABOUT 'BUCKET LIST' BOOK. Game Day. Case details: Homicide investigation of Mary Ann Becker (15,000 reward) On Sept. 9, 1974, between the hours of 5:45 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., Mary Ann Becker was discovered dead inside her home in Atkinson. DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) A Champaign man has been convicted for his role in the murder of two men in Danville more than five years ago. The Virginia Theatre. [13], The leasing agent sent a text message to her at approximately 2:38p.m., but received no reply. [2][29] Christensen bragged to his girlfriend that he was a serial killer and that Zhang was his thirteenth victim, but investigators were unable to find any other victims, and doubted this claim. 2. Champaign, IL: Yorkville, IL: U.S. Avg: Difference: Taxes Overall: Federal Income Tax: State Income Tax: Sales Tax (State & Local) Sales Tax on Food: Real property tax on median home: RE trans fee on median home (over 13 yrs) Auto sales taxes (amortized over 6 years) Annual Vehicle Property Taxes on $25K Car: Annual Auto Registration Description: Officers responded to reports of a possible shooting in the 1300 block of N. Chestnut. Location of Occurrence: 200 block of E. Springfield Ave., Champaign. Mr. Brendt Christensen, 29, avoided the death penalty after a 12-person jury reportedly could not reach a unanimous . [2][10][24][25] Christensen married in March 2011, and started graduate school in 2013. Peaceful Views. He later told investigators that he may have been sleeping, or at home playing video games. [50], The case was re-enacted as "Far From Home" on the Investigation Discovery television network true crime series See No Evil in season 6, episode 5 (2020).[51]. Listen Now MURDERED: Tracy Kirkpatrick When 17-year-old Tracy Kirkpatrick is found murdered in March 1989, investigators struggle to find any evidence pointing to who killed her. [10] After picking up Zhang later that morning and taking her back to his apartment, Christensen choked, raped, and stabbed her in his bedroom before dragging her to his bathroom where he beat her with a baseball bat and decapitated her. Although she smiles and laughs when she remembers her son, Stateman Hoff, she will be grieving his loss for the rest of her days. All sales are final. Champaign is currently growing at a rate of 0.81% annually and its population has increased by 2.46% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 88,302 in 2020. One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021. Partly cloudy skies. She . Taylor was transported to an area hospital, where days later he would pass from injuries sustained during the robbery. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Agents took possession of computers and a cellphone belonging to Christensen, and subsequently sought and obtained a federal search warrant for a forensic examination of the phone. Location of Occurrence: 00 100 block of Forsynthia Dr., Champaign. Presented by the Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company. [45], On October 11, 2018, a memorial garden was dedicated in honor of Zhang at the corner of North Goodwin Avenue and West Clark Street. They concluded that the car in the footage belonged to Christensen. Shortly after 1:00 a.m. on November 25, Tatman radioed dispatch that he was stopping a vehicle. [26], Investigators interviewed Christensen on June 12, 2017, and inspected his car. The gun violence in the city has escalated since Stateman Hoffs death. Christensen was found guilty of one count of kidnapping resulting in death and two counts of making false statements to agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Anonymous tips may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by phone at: 217- 373-8477 (TIPS); online at, Suspect in Homicide Investigation Surrenders to Police. Rising crime rates have become a central focus in major metropolitan areas including New York City, Philadelphia and Chicago. Upon arrival, officers discovered three shooting victims outside of a private residence: a 20-year-old male and 42- and 34-year-old female. Designed by Phyllis Williams and Christina Nordholm, the garden consists of pathways stones that were designed to disappear leading to a bench, a weeping cherry tree and a memorial stone. Adams County. The Oscars will air on ABC and can be streamed on ABC.com and the ABC app as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV or FuboTV. People want to show off what they have. Upon arrival, officers located a 16-year-old male inside of a private residence with a life-threatening gunshot wound. Despite a record 17 homicides in 2021, Vogel was able to dig back into Mr. Hobbs death several months ago. 2019 Aug 6, 2019; . Three At-Large Champaign City Council Seats Attract Eight Candidates In April 2nd Election; Danville's Four Mayoral Candidates Present Cases For Fighting Crime, Boosting Economy; Election 2019: Community Questionnaires Answered By Central Illinois Candidates; Election 2019: Champaign Mayoral Candidate Cobbs Says, "We Need To Lift Everybody . Location of Occurrence: 1700 block of Gentry Square Ln., Champaign. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance where he succumbed to [], On July 2, 2021, at approximately 3 p.m., Champaign Police responded to the 700 block of Hickory Street for a shooting with injuries. Ann L. Gibson, PhD, FACSM, is an associate professor and researcher in exercise science at the University of New Mexico, with research interests in body composition and physiological responses to exercise. Long said that Zhang's body still being missing weighed against Christensen, and that Christensen was the last person to see Zhang. Mr. Henderson was determined deceased by an inflicted gunshot wound and foul play was suspected. 1. [12] Investigators noted that the passenger door of his car "appeared to have been cleaned to a more diligent extent than the other vehicle doors", which they said "may be indicative of an attempt or effort to conceal or destroy evidence". Description: Officers were dispatched to investigate a report of a person found deceased. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Urbana, is 1 in 35. SHELDON An Iroquois County man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the death of a 17-year-old girl. Use at your own risk. Upon arrival, Mr. McKinney was found lying in the open doorway of his home, with an apparent gunshot wound. If a photo is mailed in, please let us know if you would like it to be returned and include a return address. Winter. There were just about twice as many shots fired in Champaign County in 2020 as there were the year before. Christensen lured Zhang into his car at a bus stop on campus posing as a police officer with the . Location of Occurrence: 1200 block of Clock St., Champaign. 17 people, including teenagers, lost their lives. At a courthouse thousands of miles from his home in China, a father pleaded with a killer to tell him where his daughter's body was last placed. The task force took nearly 100 guns off the street last year. One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021. What a game', 'Craziness' of Illini helps secure double overtime win, Editorial | White Castle ruling leaves bad taste in business community's mouth, New Illini-centered name, image, likeness collective targets big-dollar donations, Man charged in connection with 35 pounds of cannabis in his home. The information below is shared with hope to gain new information from the public concerning unsolved homicide investigations. Champaign and Urbana mirrored the national trends. Nobody fist fights. Officers located Ms. Melchi inside her residence, with evidence suggesting that foul play was involved in her death. Date of Occurrence: March 11, 2018, at approximately 1:15 a.m. Nov. 12: Gerryontae Brown, 16, shot to death in his own home in the 600 block of East Eureka Street; Calvin Williams, 18, of Champaign, awaiting trial for murder. Keying in on the individuals involved in gun crime activities, Coon explained. He believes social media is a factor. The 10 Murder Capitals Of Illinois For 2021 1. April 6, 2023. Low 32F. A young man displays a certain gun on a video and someone else wants to mimic that. June 3, 2023. The U.S. murder rate jumped by 30% from 2019 to 2020, an increase attributed to a variety of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Nov. 26: Alan T. Harden, 31, of Decatur, shot multiple times in the 2500 block of Leeper Court; no arrests. ", "Defense Attorney: 'Brendt Christensen Killed Yingying Zhang', "The Chilling Murder of a Chinese Student on a US Campus, and Why Justice Is Elusive", "Grand jury indicts former U. of I. physics student in Chinese scholar's kidnapping", "Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences: College of ACES, University of Illinois", "FBI Investigates Chinese Woman's Disappearance as Kidnapping", "United States of America vs. Brendt A. Christensen, Jury Trial (Volume 8A)", "MTD: It's wrong to blame bus driver who didn't stop for scholar", United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, "Surveillance Video of Missing Student Yingying Zhang", "FBI offers up to $10,000 reward for info leading to missing scholar", "Chinese UI students helping with search for missing countrywoman", "Missing student's family arrives in US, FBI offers reward- World Chinadaily.com.cn", "Updated: Separate $40,000 reward announced in case of missing UI scholar", "Missing UI scholar's family 'will not leave without her', "Missing UI scholar's family appeals to Trump for help finding her", "FBI investigating possible sightings of missing Illinois student", "Salem Police Say Asian Woman Seen In Salem Last Month Wasn't Missing Kidnap Victim", "University of Illinois increasing security on campus following kidnapping", "One Hundred and Forty-Sixth Commencement", "Christensen's ex-wife testifies about marital issues", "Prosecutor: Suspect in Chinese student's kidnapping discussed 'ideal victim', "Bail denied for suspect in kidnapping of U of I scholar", "Brendt Christensen, accused killer of Chinese scholar Zhang Yingying, laughed about how he 'chopped her head off', girlfriend says", "Zhang Yingying killed more details exposed! When: Sept. 9, 1974. Click here to see our subscription options. Allerton Park . Description: On December 24, 1991, Officers responded to Ms. Hulls residence after receiving a report that she had been found unresponsive with traumatic injury. . [2] Zhang planned to marry her boyfriend, Xiaolin Hou, in October 2017. And with drugs and cash there are usually guns present to keep that stash intact. 1201), Making false statements (18 U.S.C. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that on . 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. Date of Occurrence: July 1, 2020, at approximately 11:50 p.m. Suicide deaths that happen in the context of an intimate partner violence-related murder-suicide. Expand. As for the pandemic being a reason for the increased killings, Griffet isnt convinced. Non-emergency: 217-333-8911 *Date of occurrence may refer to the time the incident was reported to police. Public Schools. Upon arrival, officers located a male victim, later identified as Mr. Roth, who had sustained life-threatening injuries. The kidnapping and murder of Yingying Zhang occurred in Urbana, Illinois on June 9, 2017, when Zhang, a visiting Chinese scholar at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, was abducted by Brendt Allen Christensen, a Champaign resident and former physics graduate student at the university. April 11: Tearius Pettis, 15; shot as he rode a bicycle on South Philo Road; Troy Carter, 17, of Urbana, awaiting trial for murder. 217-403-6904 (fax). The day after he killed Zhang, Christensen claimed he put Zhang's dismembered body in three separate garbage bags which he then disposed of in the dumpster outside of his apartment. Steve Chen. Chicago Tribune. Wish they were still in business. Maywood Source: Wikipedia User Boscophotos | CC BY-SA 3.0 Overall SnackAbility 5 /10 Population: 23,277 Partly cloudy skies. The Illinois State Police (ISP) says a black Kia . The room looked nice but the halls to the room were also dark . The circumstances of Mary Ann Becker's death resulted in a homicide investigation involving multiple police agencies. Jackson is described as a Black male, 511, approximately 165 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Upon arrival, officers discovered Mr. Ledbetter who was unresponsive near a park bench. According to police, on December 8, Police arrested Arieana F. Colbert,. Thats not what were talking about. The Illinois State Police, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, and the Nokomis Police Department are seeking assistance regarding the homicide of Shana Marie Jaros, of Nokomis, Illinois. He had been physically battered and was without a pulse. Low 32F. Description: Officers responded to the 100 block of North State St. for the report of a robbery. Hinamatsuri: Japanese Doll Festival (Sold Out) at Japan House, Urbana IL. Community Services Investigations Webpage A 21-year-old Champaign man was shot and killed early Sunday in north Champaign. In fact, newly released FBI statistics suggest it wasnt a crime wave at all. [28] Christensen's attorney Evan Bruno argued that he should be released on bail due to his lack of criminal record and his ties to the local community. URBANA An Urbana man has been charged with the murder three years ago of a Champaign man. Upon arrival, Mr. McKinney was found lying in the open doorway of his home, with an apparent gunshot wound. Most accurate 2021 crime rates for Champaign, IL. [10] On June 29, Christensen attended a memorial walk for Zhang with his girlfriend. Every piece of information is valuable, and the partnership of everyday citizens makes all the difference in successfully bringing cases to a close. Feb 20, 2015 at 10:25 am. Location of Occurrence: 2600 block of Lawndale Dr., Champaign. It was higher than in 74.9% U.S. cities. 0. Graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Champaign Police Department, alone, removed 165. Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Location of Occurrence: W. Church St., West of Mattis Ave., Champaign. Tommy O'Connor. Written August 14, 2019. A makeshift memorial to Kimberly Vaughn, and her three children Abigayle, 12, Cassandra, 11, and Blake, 8, is seen outside their home in Oswego, Ill. Christopher Vaughn, who was convicted in the . Date of Occurrence: July 9, 2000, approximately 12:38 a.m. When he came around family, he would always put a smile on his face and just kissy, kissy, just loving type of son, he reminisced. Champaign man who fatally shot friend outside American Legion gets 65 years. Tickets are limited and will go quickly! Its not necessarily about drugs or territory. The Clery Act is a federal law that requires universities to collect and report crime statistics and campus safety policies. If your loved ones picture does not appear on this page, please email us at, IACP and NAACP Shared Principles Agreement, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request, Citizen Review of Police Complaints Working Group, Charges Filed in October 24, 2021, Shooting Investigation, City Staff Attend Library Community Job Fair, Charges Filed in January 3, 2023, Shooting Investigation. Champaign, IL . 5:30pm. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND)- Two individuals have been arrested for their involvement in the murder of Acarrie Ingram-Triner. 1,374 views 0 comments 3 Gia Marie Wright Sep 14, 2018 8 min PEORIA, Ill. (WLS) -- During opening statements in the trial of a man accused of killing a Chinese scholar at the University of Illinois Wednesday, the defense for Brendt Christensen acknowledged. Date of Occurrence: December 20, 1986, at approximately 11:45p.m. That was no ordinary crime wave the United States experienced last year. Date of Occurrence: September 19, 1997, at approximately 1:40p.m. Date/Time of Occurrence: approx December 22 December 24, 1991 The investigation revealed Mr. Ledbetter was robbed and physically assaulted by three unknown assailants. Crime rate in Urbana, IL The 2019 crime rate in Urbana, IL is 233 (City-Data.com crime index), which is about the average for the U.S. cities. Zhang's family traveled to Salem to follow possible leads and the FBI investigated the reports, but it was later determined that the woman was not Zhang. Cain, was transported to the Champaign County Jail where he will remain. Police investigations Lt. Ben Newell credited really good investigative work by Detective Steve Vogel in closing what had been considered a cold case. [39][4] During sentencing deliberations, the jury could not unanimously agree to sentence Christensen to death. Date of Occurrence: January 25, 1994, approximately 5:54p.m. The lobby was dark and smelled of cigarettes smoke. 3354 Big Pine Trl Ste C, Champaign, IL 61822, 1807 S Neil St (at Fox Drive), Champaign, IL 61820. The Champaign Police Department has made an arrest in a July 14, 2022, shooting death investigation, officially ruling it a Homicide. DAndre Miller, 34, of Champaign, awaiting trial for murder. Feb 28, 2023 at 11:23 am. Upon arrival, officers discovered an unresponsive 56-year-old white male who had been physically battered and was without a pulse. Click here to see our subscription options. All but one of those victims were shot and killed and dozens more were injured. 1. Champaign, IL 61820, Emergency: 9-1-1 Location of Occurrence: 900 Block of N. Third St., Champaign. *For investigative purposes, police may delay posting open homicide investigations for 120 days following the incident. He was also sentenced to prison in 2011 for second-degree murder in the July 1, 2011, fatal shooting of Nathan Barker, 26, of Champaign, and in 2006 for possession of a controlled substance. Listen Now Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, and in that role looks for and arrests men wanted for violent crimes. [12] Christensen's girlfriend was approached by FBI investigators and agreed to wear a wire, thinking that it would exonerate Christensen if he had not committed the crime. All but one of those victims were shot and killed and dozens more were injured. Upon arrival, officers located Acarrie Ingram-Triner, 19, of Champaign, with a life-threatening gunshot wound to her lower neck. When questioned, Christensen reportedly claimed that he did not remember what he was doing at the time of Zhang's disappearance. Champaign reported 827 violent crimes in 2020 (the same number as 2019), and Urbana reported a significant increase, from 124 incidents in 2019 to 214 in 2020. There were more violent crimes including homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault in the two cities in 2020 than at any time since 2010, according to the FBI data. For the last few years, its been known there are these high-powered weapons in the community and many of them are possessed by people not allowed to have them, he said. Dave Griffet, a police officer for 30 years. Low 32F. [14] The university's large Chinese student population helped coordinate search efforts on and around campus. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. [21][22], The university announced that they planned to install additional, high-definition, security cameras throughout the campus. On Friday morning, bicyclists found a body laying in a ditch along East Washington Street in Urbana. Champaign, IL 61820. Upon arrival, officers located a 16-year-old male victim with a life-threatening gunshot wound. Location of Occurrence: 1300 block of N. Hickory St., Champaign. Not at a what I expected of a Wyndham Hotel property. Mary Jane was born in Dayton, Pa., on April 21, 1930. A former University of Illinois doctoral student was convicted Monday of killing a visiting scholar from China after abducting her at a bus stop as she headed to sign an off-campus apartment.