Urbana Police Chief and other leaders provide update on recent tragedies and urge action on gun violence

URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) – The Urbana Police Department (UPD) held a press conference and community forum on Friday, addressing the recent shooting tragedies that claimed three lives, including a seven-year-old child, over the weekend. They also addressed a stabbing death that occurred on Tuesday. Police Chief Larry D. Boone, Deputy Chief of Operations Dave Smysor, Lieutenant of Criminal Investigations Division, and Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz were present to answer questions from the community and media. Questions had been submitted in advance to ensure a comprehensive response.

Chief Boone stressed the urgent need to address domestic violence and gun violence in the community. “We must come together to tackle these issues head-on,” Boone said. UPD also provided updates on the ongoing investigations to clarify details and prevent misinformation.

Community leaders, including members of the Urbana Police and Fire Departments, were in attendance to show support for those affected. A tragic series of events unfolded over the weekend, beginning with the death of 18-year-old Sherman D. McCraney Jr. on Friday, February 7, following multiple gunshot wounds in the 2000 block of Vawter Street. On Saturday, February 8, seven-year-old Darnell “DJ” Wicks and 43-year-old Melvin Braxton were killed in an apparent domestic violence-related incident.

In addition to the homicides, the Champaign County Coroner identified Richard Meek, a 70-year-old Urbana man found dead from multiple stab wounds on February 11. The Urbana Police Department, along with Illinois State Police and Urbana detectives, processed the crime scene. Police have located Sharon Moore, a 45-year-old Urbana resident, as a suspect.

Mayor Diane Wolfe Marlin also expressed her devastation, calling it a “horrific weekend for the city.” She shared her condolences, stating, “Our hearts are with the families of all involved…this is an absolutely heartbreaking loss for the community and underscores the crisis of domestic violence and access to firearms.”