CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting after U. of I. Police officers and a Champaign County Sheriff's Deputy responded to a citizen's call regarding a person loading a semiautomatic handgun near John and Locust streets in Champaign.
The person was described as a white male in his 20s with brown hair, medium height, and wearing a short sleeve gray T-shirt. Upon searching the area, officers came into contact with an armed person matching that description and ordered him to drop the gun. The man did not comply with officers' orders. Preliminary investigation indicates that three officers fired at the man some time after he refused to drop the gun.
The man, a 23-year-old U. of I. student, was struck in the leg. Officers rendered first aid including the application of a tourniquet before medical personnel arrived. The man was taken to the hospital and is not believed to be in life-threatening condition. No officers were injured.
Both the University of Illinois Police Department and the Champaign County Sheriff's Office are following department protocols and state guidelines regarding officer involved shootings. Illinois State Police have been called to take charge of the investigation.
The information available at this time is preliminary. The investigation is ongoing, and further information will be released as it becomes available.
