Crime
21-year-old Heaven Hope killed in Champaign shooting
The male was unharmed during the incident.
A tragic shooting in Champaign on Monday evening claimed the life of 21-year-old Heaven Hope. According to the Champaign Police Department, the incident occurred shortly before 8 p.m. on West Springfield Avenue near the intersection with Kenwood Road.
Police officers responded to a report of gunfire and discovered Hope at the scene, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
First responders from the Champaign Police and Fire Departments provided immediate medical assistance, but despite their efforts, Hope was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Hope and an unidentified male companion were entering a nearby business when gunfire erupted.
The male was unharmed during the incident.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and the suspect fled the area before authorities arrived.
Law enforcement officers are actively canvassing the area, seeking witnesses and reviewing security camera footage to piece together the events leading to the fatal shooting. As of Tuesday morning, no arrests have been made.
The Champaign Police Department is urging anyone with information, video evidence, or eyewitness accounts to come forward. Individuals can contact the department directly at 217-351-4545. Arrangements can be made to receive information discreetly.
For those wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted through Champaign County Crime Stoppers by calling 217-373-8477, visiting their website, or using the P3 Tips app. Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest in this homicide case.
Authorities continue to investigate, seeking justice for Heaven Hope and answers for her loved ones.
Crime
34-year-old Augusta Fireman Spencer Johnson charged in accidental shooting of his 3-year-old son in Harlem
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
A Columbia County father, Spencer Allen Johnson, 34, of Harlem, Georgia, has been charged with child cruelty after his 3-year-old son, Evan Johnson, accidentally shot himself in the shoulder with an unsecured firearm.
According to authorities, the incident occurred Thursday night when the child accessed an unsecured firearm in his father’s bedroom.
The young boy, left unsupervised, discharged the weapon, resulting in a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Fortunately, the child is expected to make a full recovery.
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
He faces charges of child cruelty stemming from criminal negligence, which authorities allege caused “excessive physical pain” to his son through neglectful supervision. He is currently being held at the Columbia County Detention Center with bond set at $10,100.
The Harlem Police Department did not initially release information about the shooting. However, as rumors of the incident spread on social media, the situation was later confirmed by both WGAC’s Austin Rhodes and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office late Friday evening.
Early Saturday morning, Harlem Police Chief issued a statement on the department’s Facebook page, stating that the case remains under investigation as new details emerge.
The Chief’s statement suggests that the full circumstances surrounding the shooting are still being determined.
In his booking photo, Johnson is seen wearing an anti-suicide smock, a standard precautionary measure taken in some detention facilities.
The incident has sparked discussions about gun safety and parental responsibility. Authorities are expected to release further information as the investigation unfolds.
Meanwhile, the Columbia County community remains concerned about ensuring proper firearm storage to prevent similar tragedies.