Crime
7-year-old child killed in Urbana home invasion identified
Urbana, IL – The Urbana Police Department is investigating a fatal home invasion and shooting that left two people dead, including a 7-year-old child, on Saturday evening, February 8, 2025.
Officers responded to a report of a shooting with injuries in the 900 block of Lanore Drive shortly before 8:00 p.m.
The location is situated just south of the Brookens Administrative Center, near the intersection of Lanore Drive and Washington Street.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a 7-year-old child, identified as Darnell “DJ” Wicks, suffering from gunshot wounds. The child was immediately transported to the hospital but tragically succumbed to their injuries.
Shortly after the child was taken for emergency medical treatment, officers located a 43-year-old Melvin Braxton near the scene, also suffering from gunshot wounds.
He was transported to the hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
The identities of both victims are being withheld pending notification of their families.
Authorities believe the shooting was the result of a home invasion, though additional details surrounding the circumstances have not yet been released.
The Urbana Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division has taken over the case and continues to actively investigate.
This tragic incident comes just one day after an 18-year-old was fatally shot in Urbana in an unrelated shooting on Friday night.
Investigators are currently canvassing the area in search of witnesses and video surveillance footage that could provide critical information.
Residents and business owners with exterior security cameras in the area are urged to contact the Urbana Police Department.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Urbana Police Department’s non-emergency line at (217) 384-2320.
To remain anonymous, individuals can submit tips to Champaign County Crime Stoppers through the following methods:
📞 Call: (217) 373-8477
Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for any tip leading to an arrest in a homicide investigation.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Crime
Angela Johnson and Her Son DeAngelo Johnson Killed After Shooting Inside Home in Chicago, Mother’s Boyfriend in Custody
CHICAGO — A 47-year-old mother and her 27-year-old son were fatally shot inside a residence in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on the West Side late Thursday night, September 24, 2026, according to Chicago police.
The victims were identified as Angela Johnson, 47, and DeAngelo Johnson, 27. Police said a suspect, identified as Angela Johnson’s boyfriend, was taken into custody following the shooting.
The deadly shooting happened in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue at approximately 10:43 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing gunshots coming from the basement of the residence and called 911.
When Chicago police officers arrived, they found the two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Angela Johnson was found in the basement with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police-radio traffic indicated she had been shot on the right side of her chest.
DeAngelo Johnson was found on the first floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Radio traffic indicated that he had suffered two gunshot wounds to his back.
Both victims were initially unresponsive and in critical condition. Emergency personnel performed CPR on DeAngelo Johnson before both victims were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
According to police-radio traffic, one victim was pronounced dead at approximately 11:18 p.m., while the male victim was pronounced dead around 11:21 p.m.
Investigators found extensive evidence inside the residence, including approximately 23 shell casings in a basement bedroom. Additional shell casings were reportedly recovered in other areas of the basement, including the stairway, main room and bedroom.
Officers initially recovered a firearm and shell casings from the basement bedroom. Police later located a second firearm inside the home, bringing the total number of recovered firearms to two.
Authorities have not publicly stated who owned the firearms or confirmed which weapon, if either, was used in the fatal shooting.
Police also reported that DeAngelo Johnson was wearing an empty holster when officers found him on the first floor. That discovery prompted an officer-safety alert as officers searched the residence for the missing firearm.
Chicago police said the shooting appeared to be domestic-related and identified the alleged offender as the mother’s boyfriend.
Radio traffic indicated that a person had been detained by approximately 11:26 p.m. The official police report later confirmed that the known offender was taken into custody.
Two witnesses were reportedly available to identify the alleged offender, and officers conducted a show-up identification procedure near the scene.
Police have not released additional information about potential charges against the suspect.
The investigation into the Chicago Austin neighborhood double shooting remains ongoing. Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the shooting, the relationship between the people involved and the role of the two recovered firearms.
The deaths of Angela Johnson and DeAngelo Johnson are being investigated as a double homicide.