Crime
18-year-old killed in Champaign shooting
Champaign, IL – The Champaign Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that claimed the life of an 18-year-old male on Thursday afternoon.
According to officials, officers were dispatched to the intersection of Cynthia Drive and Sandra Street following reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival, they located the teenager suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Officers immediately rendered medical aid before the victim was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Initial findings suggest that the victim was seated in a vehicle with several friends when an unknown individual approached and opened fire.
The victim’s friends reportedly fled the scene after the shooting. At this time, the identity and motive of the shooter remain unknown.
Champaign Police officers are actively canvassing the area for witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses to piece together the events leading up to the incident.
The Champaign Police Department is urging residents in the area with outdoor security cameras to review their footage and contact investigators if any relevant information is captured.
Authorities are also asking anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has any information about the incident to come forward.
- Champaign Police Department Contact: 217-351-4545
- Champaign County Crime Stoppers: 217-373-8477 (anonymous tips accepted)
This tragic loss marks yet another instance of gun violence affecting the community. Law enforcement officials are committed to pursuing all leads to identify the perpetrator and hold them accountable.
Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local authorities as the investigation continues.
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.