CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen and Champaign Police Chief Timothy T. Tyler reinforced their efforts to find the individuals responsible for several shootings in Champaign over the weekend. They were joined by Gregory Manzana, an investigations Lieutenant with the Champaign Police Department (CPD), Jorge Elvir, the Community Relations Manager with the City of Champaign Equity & Engagement Department, and Banio “B.K.” Koroma, Jr., from Vision to Succeed, on behalf of Blueprint Partners.
Mayor Feinen addressed the grief surrounding the unnecessary violence in the community, “I am heartbroken and angry about the violence over the weekend. My heart aches for the victim, their friends and families, and community members.”
|TRENDING: Coroner’s office releases names of Sunday’s shooting victims
Chief Tyler reiterated that the “popup parties,” parties that are announced privately among attendees and not through public channels, have been increasing in frequency in the community. He says, “We want the community to be able exercise their civil rights and peaceably assemble. However, when you add drugs and alcohol into the mix with firearms, it can cause problems to escalate.”
Two 18-year-old Champaign residents were killed at a popup party in the 200 block of Cynthia Dr. on Sunday. In an apartment parking lot, George Dorris-Rodgers and Daniyjah Staple, were killed by gunfire. A 25-year-old woman and a 15-year-old male also suffered non-life-threatening injuries and remain in the hospital in stable condition.
In a different incident on Saturday, in the 1800 block of W. Bradley Ave., two 22-year-old women with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds were sent to area hospitals where they were listed in stable condition.
Chief Tyler said there were 23 officers on duty on Saturday, but 26 additional volunteer officers came to assist, including those from the Parkland College Police Department, the Champaign County Sheriff’s office, the University of Illinois Police Department, and the Urbana Police Department.
Mayor Feinen suggested there are several ways for the community to assist the police, including, “attending a community coalition meeting. They are designed to bring our entire community together to update everyone on what we’re working on and provide action items and ways for the community to get involved and be committed to help us bring a more peaceful community.”
Chief Tyler says no arrests have been made in either shooting incident. He urges the community to speak out if they know anything by calling 217-351-4545. If someone wishes to remain anonymous, they can call Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477 (TIPS). Tyler says, “I never want to have to go to the hospital again, watching a mother cry because she’s lost her child.”