Homicides were up almost 30 percent nationally, a total of 21,570 for the year. St. Louis experienced its highest murder rate in 50 years. 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. The 2019 Champaign crime rate rose by 17% compared to 2018. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. [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. Although, the effort overlaps some. Description: Champaign Police Officer Robert Tatman, service badge #80, was killed in the line of duty during a traffic stop. 1:00pm. Five years later, it hit that record-setting number for both shootings and murders in the city. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. Champaign Police Department (The US average is 22.7) Champaign property crime is 42.3. "Brendt Christensen" redirects here. Its no different than trying to show off who has the most money. The victim, identified as Gerryontae Brown, did not survive his injuries. Forensic evaluations returned to Police would determine that Ms. Butler had been sexually assaulted and that her death involved foul play. As [], On November 12, 2020, at approximately 5:17 p.m., Champaign Police responded to the area of the 600 block of East Eureka Street for a reported shooting. AP / Macon County Sheriff's Office. Police will arrange to speak privately with you. 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. The indictment alleges that Christensen "willfully and unlawfully seized, confined, inveigled, decoyed, kidnapped, abducted, and carried away" Zhang "and otherwise held her for his own benefit and purpose, and used and caused to be used a means, facility and instrumentality of interstate commerce, namely, a Motorola cellular telephone and a Saturn Astra motor vehicle, in committing and in furtherance of the commission of the offense". The Virginia Theatre. 1001), "US police seek information on car where missing Chinese scholar last seen", "Federal jury finds Brendt Christensen guilty of kidnapping, slaying of Chinese scholar at U. of I. Date of Occurrence: January 25, 1994, approximately 5:54p.m. That was no ordinary crime wave the United States experienced last year. Date of Occurrence: Approximately December 7, 1995, possibly around 5 p.m. [2][27], During questioning on June 15, Christensen admitted that he had given an Asian female a ride,[12] but said that he dropped her off after only a few blocks when a wrong turn caused her to panic. When Yessenia Suarez and her two young kids, Thalia and Michael Otto, go missing from their home in Deltona, Florida, all eyes turn to her husband, Luis Toledo. [10] He asked Hogan to get into his car, she refused, and he drove off. "We're in a war when you think of homicide as a conflict, and we don't have enough boots on the ground," Hargrove said. Confirmed shootings, homicides: 2020 2019. There were 11 homicides in the two cities, including nine in Champaign. The police department is also . 2019 Aug 6, 2019; . The answer is uniformly that they feel the need to defend themselves. Minutes later, a passing motorist used Tatmans squad car radio to notify dispatch that there was an unresponsive policeman lying near his vehicle. [2][33] Christensen had no prior criminal record and no record of disciplinary problems at the university. View Website. Dave Griffet, a police officer for 30 years. Description: Officers discovered Mr. Hopkins inside of a private residence with a fatal gunshot wound. URBANA An Urbana man has been charged with the murder three years ago of a Champaign man. 7:00pm - 9:00pm. [31][12][32] The FBI report noted that in April, before the alleged kidnapping, Christensen used his cellphone to access the sexual fetish website Fetlife, visiting forums such as "Abduction 101". Pick the brain of veteran News-Gazette columnist Tom Kacich and veteran WDWS/WHMS radio employee Kathy Reiser. The U.S. murder rate rose 30% between 2019 and 2020 - the largest single-year increase in more than a century, according to data published this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A lot of criminals are using handguns with extended magazines, 30-round capacities, or even drum magazines which have 50-round capacities, Coon said of recent trends among the guns recovered. Feb. 23: Tenesha Jenkins, 34, beaten and smothered in her home in the 2200 block of Dale Drive, Champaign; Antoine Craig,38, of Champaign, awaiting trial for murder. Judge Roger Webber said surveillance video from the area where Darin Mitchell, 48, of Champaign, was shot on Aug. 23 . Thats why you have an isolated shooting on a side street because somebody has shared your location, Griffet said. Date of Occurrence: August 9, 2014, at approximately 10:03 a.m. Christensen lured Zhang into his car at a bus stop on campus posing as a police officer with the . Low 32F. Mr. Hobbs, of Champaign, died on Jan. 24, 2019, from gunshots he received inside a home in the 800 block of Fairoaks Drive in Champaign. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Date of Occurrence: December 20, 1986, at approximately 11:45p.m. Auto thefts and arson are shocking high at 144 and 17, respectively. And with drugs and cash there are usually guns present to keep that stash intact. Please send any seating requests to Ashley Sims at anowen2@illinois.edu. Illinois Death Records Indexes, Obituaries and Cemeteries by County. April 6, 2023. They also noted that the car in the video had a cracked hubcap and, upon reinspecting Christensen's car, found that it had a cracked hubcap. Location of Occurrence: 700 block of Hickory St., Champaign. Urbana man charged with murder in 2019 shooting in west Champaign, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 19; 3 still missing, Trump pitches a sequel, but shies away from attacking rivals, China sets this year's economic growth target at 'around 5%', Can't take statins? Michigan leads Illinois 23-21 with 7:50 left in the first half. But criminologists noted that nationally, not all violent crimes increased, and property crime the most common type of crime actually decreased by 8 percent. Upon arrival, officers located a male victim, later identified as Mr. Roth, who had sustained life-threatening injuries. It was higher than in 89.5% U.S. cities. Most recently, Ohio State defeated Illinois 72-60 on Sunday . Police will arrange to speak privately with you. Date of Occurrence: November 17, 2014, at approximately 10:00p.m. Date of Occurrence: September 19, 1997, at approximately 1:40p.m. 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm. Low 32F. She arrived in the United States in April 2017 to conduct research on photosynthesis and crop productivity for one year[7] in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences,[8] within the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES), at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Partly cloudy skies. Cain was transported to the Champaign County Jail where he will remain pending future court proceedings. Although an arrest has been made, this is still an active investigation. Vogel recognized that and thought this could be the suspects blood on the pants. [10], On the afternoon of June 9, 2017, Zhang was traveling on a Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) bus in Urbana, Illinois, to an off-campus apartment complex where she was planning to sign a new apartment lease. Location of Occurrence: 2600 block of Lawndale Dr., Champaign Description: Officers discovered Mr. Hopkins inside of a private residence with a fatal gunshot wound. The [], On October 6, 2020, at approximately 11:12 a.m., the Champaign County Street Crimes Task Force and United States Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested DAndre Miller, 33, of Champaign, for his alleged involvement in a Feb. 3, 2020, homicide. Date of Occurrence: November 13, 2020, at approximately 3:22 p.m. On May 5, 2019, at approximately 1:49 a.m., Champaign Police responded to an apartment complex parking lot in the 400 block of Edgebrook Dr. following reports of a shooting. [2] In 2013, Zhang graduated from Sun Yat-sen University at the top of her class. As officers and medical personnel arrived, they determined Mr. Boyd to be deceased with injuries that suggested foul play was involved. Description: Officers responded to the 400 block of East Hill St. for reports of shots heard. Location of Occurrence: 100 block of North State St., Champaign. He told the court that Christensen had attended a vigil held for Zhang on June 29, where he had described "the characteristics of his ideal victim", and had pointed out those in the crowd who matched them. They concluded that the car in the footage belonged to Christensen. 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. Mr. Beasley was found in the street with apparent gunshot wounds. Shortly after 1:00 a.m. on November 25, Tatman radioed dispatch that he was stopping a vehicle. Mahomet has 2 large forest preserves, extremely convenient location to get to Champaign shopping, work, and downtown. Location of Occurrence: 300 block of East Hill St., Champaign. 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. Location of Occurrence: 800 block of N. Randolph St., Champaign. Mr. Roth was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. For the diplomat, see, Yingying Zhang around the time of her college graduation. The suspect shot Mr. Thomas and fled the scene, running Westbound. Description: Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of E. Roper for a reported armed home invasion. Danville averaged a murder each month in 2020, giving the city the seventh highest murder rate in the state. Pick the brain of veteran News-Gazette columnist Tom Kacich and veteran WDWS/WHMS radio personality Kathy Reiser. Spanning over 23 miles, Champaign has a population density of 3,962 people per square mile. (The US average is 35.4) NOTE: Click on the links below to see charts for each crime category. All but one of those victims were shot and killed and dozens more were injured. American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. Biden announces aggressive new, Newsfeed Now: Biden to launch new plan against COVID-19, Newsfeed Now: Health experts concerned about COVID-19, Newsfeed Now: Pres. Although an arrest has been made, this is still an active investigation. [18] This reward is the largest offered in the 31-year history of the Champaign Crime Stoppers organization. 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. 2021 End of Year Gun Violen by Neil Street, Its alarming, Champaign Deputy Chief Geoff Coon said. The local violent crime rate is 12.3% higher now than it was in 2019. 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. Finally, the gun violence that is claiming so many young people in Champaign-Urbana and the nation must be addressed not only by police and social workers but by business people, faith leaders, teachers, youth and athletic groups, mentors, neighbors and others. The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Champaign is 643 to 1. Policing must continue to be part of the solution to crime prevention, as well as programs like one being tried in Urbana where a police officer and a social worker will follow up on people involved in mental-health and behavioral-health crises. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Mr. Hobbs death was the first of two homicides by gunfire in 2019 in Champaign. Location of Occurrence: 900 Block of N. Third St., Champaign. 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. [], On November 12, 2020, at approximately 5:17 p.m., Champaign Police responded to the area of the 600 block of East Eureka Street for a reported shooting. Date of Occurrence: February 15, 2006, at approximately 11:25 a.m. Pick the brain of veteran News-Gazette columnist Tom Kacich and veteran WDWS/WHMS radio personality Kathy Reiser. Freres revealed more details from the investigation not presented in the criminal complaint. Biden defends Afghanistan exit, Newsfeed Now: Last US troops leave Afghanistan; Man, Newsfeed Now: US racing to finish Afghanistan withdrawal;, Newsfeed Now: The nation mourns after US service, Celebrating Central Illinois: First Responders, Fallen officer Chris Oberheims partner opens up, Plans move forward for Urbana solar farm that could, Champaign community raises $25,000 and counting for, Champaign Co. deputys passion to serve stronger, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Attempts were made to contact the missing [], On July 23, 2021, at approximately 4:56 p.m., Champaign Police responded to the 3000 Block of Edward Hoffman Drive for the report of shots fired. Christensen lured Zhang into his car at a bus stop on campus posing as a police officer with the promise of a ride after she missed a bus, but then took her to his apartment where he raped and murdered her while his wife was out of town for the weekend. 77 people were shot in Champaign last year. People who live in Champaign County generally consider the southeast part of the county to be the safest for this type of crime. 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. Community Services Investigations Webpage The rate of murder in Champaign is 0.06 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. We take a look at eight of the most famous homicides in the history of Illinois. Jackson failed to return home or contact any family and was reported missing on November 29, 2011. Christensen was tried and convicted of one count of kidnapping resulting in death and two counts of making false statements to agents of the FBI, but the jury deadlocked on whether or not to impose the death penalty. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Latest I-72 Champaign Illinois News Reports. [13], The leasing agent sent a text message to her at approximately 2:38p.m., but received no reply. Champaign Police Department Bob . Adams County. Non-emergency: 217-333-8911 After resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful, Mr. Ledbetter was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. According to police, on December 8, Police arrested Arieana F. Colbert,. Newell declined to comment on a possible motive. 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. . Date of Occurrence: Found March 18, 2012 Urbana, IL 444 contributions. [30], On June 30, the FBI arrested Christensen and charged him with kidnapping under Title 18 U.S.C. Consider, for example, a Dec. 4 incident in which two men in a vehicle fired at Champaign County sheriffs deputies trying to stop their vehicle for speeding. November 8, 2019. 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. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Winter. 17 people, including teenagers, lost their lives. This week, the man accused of raping and murdering Wesselman was sentenced to 80 years in prison. Nov. 13: Shawntiel Harrison, 30, of Champaign, found shot in the head in a car in the 300 block of East Hill Street; no arrests. The schools are top notch with a highly involved community.. View nearby homes. Two women were found shot in St. Joseph Township, leading to the arrest of 28-year-old . Upon arrival, officers discovered Mr. Ledbetter who was unresponsive near a park bench. Upon arrival, officers located a 16-year-old male inside of a private residence with a life-threatening gunshot wound. Keonte Campbell is expected to be returned to Urbana later this month to face prosecution on the murder charges. Officers located Ms. Melchi inside her residence, with evidence suggesting that foul play was involved in her death. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. #6 Best Places to Live in Champaign County. Location of Occurrence: 00 100 block of Forsynthia Dr., Champaign. The Zhang family donated an initial gift of $30,000 to the fund with an additional $24,000 contributed from more than 440 donors. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. 500 E. Peabody Dr. Champaign, Illinois 61820 . East St. Louis Source: Public domain Overall SnackAbility 3 /10 Population: 26,277 Rank Last Year: 68 Murders: 36 (2nd Most) Murders Per 100k: 137.0 (Most) More on East St. Louis: Data | Photos 2. Officers responded to reports of a possible shooting in the 1300 block of N. Chestnut. The multi-jurisdictional unit was formed in 2015 in direct response to an increase in gun violence in Champaign-Urbana. Police said an investigation done then suggested that an unknown person or people forced their way into the home and fired multiple rounds at Mr. Hobbs before fleeing. Description: Officers were dispatched to investigate a report of a person found deceased. Feb 20, 2015 at 10:25 am. Steven Butler, III of Champaign - picture posted to Missing Persons Awareness Network Facebook page. [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. 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. [10] On June 29, Christensen attended a memorial walk for Zhang with his girlfriend. I said, Okay, I love you,' Hoff shared. 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. According to our research of Illinois and other state lists, there were 133 registered sex offenders living in Champaign, Illinois as of March 04, 2023. [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]. What police are finding is that not only are there more shootings, but there has been a significant increase in the amount of firepower. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Champaign is 1 in 142 and property crime is 1 in 65. Wish they were still in business. Location of Occurrence: 1300 block of N. Chestnut St., Champaign. New pill cuts cholesterol, heart attacks, Fiery tanker crash kills driver, burns Maryland homes, Marianne Williamson begins longshot 2024 challenge to Biden. New pill cuts cholesterol, heart attacks, Fiery tanker crash kills driver, burns Maryland homes, Marianne Williamson begins longshot 2024 challenge to Biden. . A rough year for gunfire, deaths in Champaign County, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 19; 3 still missing, Trump pitches a sequel, but shies away from attacking rivals, China sets this year's economic growth target at 'around 5%', Can't take statins? The investigation revealed Mr. Ledbetter was robbed and physically assaulted by three unknown assailants. In fact, newly released FBI statistics suggest it wasnt a crime wave at all. 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 . On July 14, 2022, at approximately 5:14 a.m., Champaign Police responded to the 400 block of E. Beardsley Avenue for a report of a shooting with injury. There was a fire reported at his. Dec. 28: Lisa Lewis, 36, of Champaign, shot multiple times in a car in the 2000 block of Moreland Boulevard, C; no arrests. County-level diabetes prevalence ranges from 7% to 13%, whereas Illinois diabetes prevalence is 9.1%. The bond on the warrant was set at $2 million. Peaceful Views. [2] The MTD stated it is against company policy to stop for pedestrians on the wrong side of the street, as to do so would encourage them to run into oncoming traffic. In Illinois, the homicide rate was 9.1 per 100,000 people, the highest rate since 1996. Its led by the Champaign Police Department but includes members from the Urbana Police Department, the University of Illinois Police Department and the Champaign County Sheriffs Office. Location of Occurrence: 1700 block of Gentry Square Ln., Champaign. When the car they were in was ultimately stopped, police found an AR-15 assault rifle, two handguns and a drum magazine that can hold 50 to 100 bullets. Description: Mr. Jackson was last seen by his family on November 26, 2011 after leaving home to run errands. Date of Occurrence: July 1, 2020, at approximately 11:50 p.m. Cain, was transported to the Champaign County Jail where he will remain. Zhang has one younger brother, Zhengyang. We do not want to see any more moms hurting any longer, Hoff shared.Meanwhile, Urbana police reported 10 homicides for 2021, also a record. You have permission to edit this article. [39][4] During sentencing deliberations, the jury could not unanimously agree to sentence Christensen to death. The 34-year-old female, identified as Ms. Cobb, succumbed to her injuries a short time after the incident occurred. City-data.com does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of any information on this site. Often, the strife that leads to shootings is for no tangible reason. The circumstances of Mary Ann Becker's death resulted in a homicide investigation involving multiple police agencies. Champaign police said Friday that Keonte Campbell, 35, who is currently serving a prison sentence for selling crack cocaine, has been charged with the fatal shooting of Dehrone Hobbs, 38. An affidavit filed by an FBI agent said that in the audio recording, Christensen told his girlfriend he had brought Zhang back to his apartment and held her there against her will. 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. May 21: James Rooster Coleman, 25, shot during a dice game in a Gramercy Park apartment in the 200 block of South Country Fair Drive; London Taylor, 21, of Urbana, and Keith Baker, 25, of Champaign, awaiting trial for murder.