Tonight, at about 8 PM, there were gunshots in West Side Park. Three police officers were shot, one in the leg, one in the shoulder and one in the chest, although he was wearing a protective vest. I've been told that all three officers are injured, but that's all. I've also been told that the suspect was shot and killed by the officers.
WCIA's 10 PM newscast made it sound like the suspect was the homeless man who lived in the grey hatchback on Church Street, just north of West Side Park.
If you have more information, or as we learn more from news reports, please share it here. And please keep the officers in your thoughts.
UPDATE: The NG Story is here.
Three Champaign police officers were injured in a shooting incident at about 7:40 p.m. Thursday on Church Street on the north side of Champaign's West Side Park, according to a police spokeswoman. The suspect in the shooting was also injured and was being treated.
Rene Dunn, assistant to the chief of police, would not confirm Thursday the identities of the officers or the extent of their injuries because she said families were being notified.
I posted earlier that I had been told the suspect had been killed. That was incorrect (as of late last night, the suspect was still alive, although also injured), and I apologize for the error.
There are lots of rumors and conjecture. I don't know why this happened, and most of you don't either. We don't know what caused the shootout. Let's take a deep breath and hope everyone is OK.
Just mentioned on WCIA that the police officers injuries are potentially life threatening.
From what I heard, one of the officers is in serious condition - maybe that would be the one who was shot in the chest. It sounded like the guy had been in the car for quite a while without incident, so it's not clear what the motive was. I heard that the suspect was shot, and it sounded like a news report may have said something about him being in surgery.
Here's what's weird to me. That guy and his car seem to have been there for well over a year, and I can't remember him bothering anyone or causing anyone any problems, and I walk through that park almost every day. So, if it really is him, it'll be interesting to see what set him off.
My thoughts and prayers to the officers and their families.
Good Lord. That would explain the (still) flashing lights.
Here's the N-G story: http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2007/06/07/officers_shot_in_west_side_park
I agree John, this is really rough for this town.
The report I saw said that someone called the police on the guy because he had a gun.
My prayers go out to the deceased man. This is an awful town.
Clarification: Prayers are for the homeless man.
I will be quite interested to hear why the gun totin' po-lice shot up the poor guy.
Clarification: Prayers are for the homeless man.
I will be quite interested to hear why the gun totin' po-lice shot up the poor guy.
Hey, not the time or place. Let the investigation happen AFTER everyone's out of the hospital.
Man, everyone on METCAD tonight sounds really depressed right now. Dispatchers, police officers, fire department. I'll keep everyone posted if I hear anything interesting.
"Clarification: Prayers are for the homeless man.
I will be quite interested to hear why the gun totin' po-lice shot up the poor guy."
OK. I'm not going to get mad about this, but seriously. The guy has been there for months, if not years. If it was just the cops hassling this guy, why did they wait until now to do it?
Here's the video of the news story: http://www.wcfn.tv/media_player.php?media_id=2968
"Protected by Smith and Wesson"
The guy has been there for months, if not years. If it was just the cops hassling this guy, why did they wait until now to do it?
They had to plan their attack.
This is what happens when people get fed up. At least the guy had a plan.
I guess he couldn't afford a bulldozer, like this guy:
http://www.tcnj.edu/~hofmann/Granby/Granby.htm
"You know, I think you'd be a lot more welcome at UCIMC than you are here."
Please check your sarcasm detector. It may need adjustment.
Anybody see Channel 15? They had 2 reports from Westside Park and the new reporter Nick was reporting from the hospital. They reported police said they had a report about a gun in the park, police went up to the car and the person in the car started shooting. That is when police started firing back? What the hell were they supposed to do? Im disgusted you would say the officers just started 'shoot'in the guy'.
When I got back home my web browser was still on the tracker page from hours before and I missed the new post about this subject... sorry about that.
Here's what I've learned so far from rumors, UofI PD, and the CPD and their press release thus far:
Apparently last night three cops were injured in a confrontation in Champaign. One of the police officers a short haired blond that typically works 3rd shift was among the wounded and one of the worse ones off. I'm told by the University Police that all three are expected to do okay and the shooter was also wounded and apprehended in the exchange.
As a resident night owl I have had the privledge of meeting the officer who was most seriously wounded as a part time waiter/cook down at Merry Anns and at Oakley's when it was still in business. I even had the experience of being at the bad end of a police call for a disturbance although as the record confirms it was unwartanted. During the inicident I experienced the epitome of professionalism and the obvious results of good training. For a short while when I still lived in the Bloomington area I was part of group that helped train police officers in hand to hand combat and life threatening situations. From my personal knowledge and experience with this particular officer I know she carried her duties out fairly and with restraint.
As soon as I heard the news at the pub I feared that the female cop in question may have been her. I later got confirmation from the University Police of the description though they assured me she'd be alright.
I swear for the first time in a long time my eyes welled up. This officer was such a wonderful and brave protector of our community. I have had the priviledge of interacting with her both in a community level discourse as well as being a source of concern even though it was obviously a bogus call in. Her professionalism and courtesy left an impression on me that brought me to fear that she may have been one of the third shift officers wounded in this incident. A fear that somewhat surprised me since I do not know her well at all personally. To me she is the perfect example of the citizen law enforcement officer who truly wants to do good for our community. My interactions with her have solidified that viewpoint.
I hope you all join me in wishing her a speedy recovery and sincere thank you to her and the other officers who do a dangerous job in hopes of keeping our community safer. She nearly made the ultimate sacrifice towards that end tonight. Bless her for doing the right thing in spite of the onslaught of criticism and public apathy otherwise
UPDATE 12:11am: The Champaign Police Department isn't releasing any information or a press release as of yet on the incident which is understandable. Apparently in addition to last nights shooting there was also a SWAT team related incident and the nice woman dealing with public relations is going to be up all night trying to let the community know as early as possible what the official word is.
UPDATE 12:31am: Here's the press release from the CPD:
Shooting Investigation – 300 block of W. Church Street
On June 7, 2007, at approximately 7:42 p.m., Champaign Police Department Officers responded to the 300 block of W. Church Street, near West Side Park for a report of a man with a gun. When officers arrived at the location, they approached the suspect who began firing a weapon at the officers. Officers returned fire at the suspect. Three Champaign Police officers and the male suspect were wounded by gunfire and transported to the hospital for treatment.
Suspect is in custody for Attempted Murder and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm.
The Champaign Police Chief has requested that the Serious Use of Force Team take charge in this investigation. The Serious Use of Force team is a multi-agency investigative unit made up of officers from the Champaign, Rantoul, Urbana and University of Illinois police departments, the Champaign County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois State Police.
The identity and medical condition of the officers and suspect are not being released at this time and no further information is available.
The Champaign Police Department will continue to investigate this crime
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Glock21 Op/Ed
OK, the results of the investigation are in:
The police were polite, friendly and were in the process of giving the man money and a warm pie when he insulted them. The Champaign Plice make no apology for killing the man, because he clearly had it coming when he told the officers he prefers banana cream to apple pie.
I was driving west on University around 8 when two ambulances sped by going towards Carle. Then when I got to Church and State, I saw the largest collection of flashing lights this town's ever seen. It must have just happened.
I'm surprised that 3 officers got shot by one person. Maybe if the shooter had been hiding out, but for all three to see the shooter before he started shooting and then get shot. I'm not judging--just surprised. I definitely hope the cops are ok.
I drove by again after midnight and it was still lit up like daylight by the park. It looked like there was yellow tape in the street on the north side of the park. It also looked like tape was blocking access to the fountain area (surrounding it).
Did you not read the release posted above? The suspect is in custody.
And I don't care if you're provoked or not, you don't shoot at police. You shoot at police, you either go to jail or die. Sorry UCIMC crowd...the law still works over in West Urbana.
Sorry once again for not posting that information on this thread earlier. My goof up. The police and their representatives have been very cooperative with letting me know what they can confirm thus far with a little added unofficial information to boot. I'm extremely concerned about the welfare of the cop that "got the worst of it." From the description it was one of the CPD cops that I've interacted with several times in the past and she was one hell of a nice lady who often worked the 3rd shift in Champaign. I truly hope the UofI cop I talked to was right that all the cops injured in last night's incident are looking to pull through okay.
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Glock21 Op/Ed
The Champaign Plice make no apology for killing the man
Well, according to Glock's information, the man wasn't killed.
Here's hoping that Glock is correct and that everyone involved makes a full and speedy recovery.
Interloper... from what the UofI officer told me and the CPD official told me as well as the CPD press release the suspect is in custody and alive though also wounded. I think the anonymous post was merely malicious and had little basis in any facts published in the news or released by the authorities thus far.
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Glock21 Op/Ed
"The police were polite, friendly and were in the process of giving the man money and a warm pie when he insulted them. The Champaign Plice make no apology for killing the man, because he clearly had it coming when he told the officers he prefers banana cream to apple pie."
I've met a great many assholes in my day, but still...
Again, this apparently comes from someone who has no idea what's going on, and has never met the people in question.
Xander... indeed. It was pure malicious intent. It's enough to boil my blood but this anon is obviously not worth it.
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Glock21 Op/Ed
As someone whose has had my share of bad experiences with law enforcement officers and the grandchild of a Chicago Police Officer, I would like to send my wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery for all involved, but especially those who daily have the task of walking into potentially life-threatening situations for the safety of the community.
Right now, it's probably not worth spending too much time dwelling on it, but afterwards, threads like this are an excellent way to gauge the character of folks in a community--how they respond to a crisis and the suffering of others.
Some delight in it and use it to further their own agenda. They ignore facts and just attack whomever they want (look above for two different examples of that).
Others simply are curious or sympathize.
But some take it upon themselves to genuinely empathize and work to educate and inform those around them. I have the deepest respect for them.
I just heard the report about the shooting on the radio news from WIXY. My prayers go out to the police officers and their families. i have read a great deal of ignorance and speculation as to what happened in the park. I must say i agree with the WIXY staff completely and when i heard what was being said about the situation i had to post a reply and my regards to the police department and families. This is a tragedy of its own and even though I am a resident of Danville I still feel like this affects all the surrounding area police forces. The police are here to protect and serve us, not hurt us. I myself have been through rough patches with police myself recently which were mistakes and unfounded on the police officers part,but they were respectful and I still respect them for doing their jobs and protecting me and my children. I thank all of them for going out and putting their lives on the line everyday so i don't have to worry about my childrens lives being put at risk.
is it just me, or has there been an increase in crime (specifically property crimes) in the past few years in Champaign?
I honestly can't imagine what it must be like to send your spouse off to work knowing they will be in danger while they do their job. I also can't imagine what it must be like to do a job where nobody is ever happy to need your services or even see you (except under the most dire of situations.)
My sincere hope is for all involved to recover fully. I doubt, however, that the emotional impact will fade as rapidly as the physical scars do.
How very sad this all is.
Laura
There's some more coverage at WCFN (http://www.wcfn.tv/) today. The suspect was identified as Donnell Clemons, and the officers were John Murphy, Shannon Bridges, and Jack Armstrong.
I've just posted a new thread with a press release, etc.
I've been out of the loop for several reasons over the last few days. I was shocked to see the paper today about the shooting.
I've had the pleasure of professional face-time with Dep Chief Murphy this past year, a very respectful, thoughtful, and professional person - wayward, you would know him as the officer from which I got the raw data for my GIS project regarding the CPD.
It's good to hear that all are expected to recover. My heart goes out to those who put their lives on the line in the service of their fellow men and women, and those folks, like these three officers, who draw the short straw.
I guess 2 days after the fact your stupid posting on the 7th now reveals what a moron you are./ He shot first... the reason they shot back. I wont be sending flowers to the suspect.
FWIW, I left a card and small flower arrangement at CPD to be delivered to Shannon Bridges. The card said that a lot of people on IlliniPundit.com were thinking about her and praying for her - figured that this would be OK. The flowers happened to be blue, but that's just because they were the ones I liked the most. :)
wayward... thanks! that's downright awesome of ya!
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Glock21 Op/Ed
Way to go wayward, you are all right in my book.
Thank you wayward.
Wayward, you rock
Wayward I will catch you next week at the blogger bash and buy you a cold one. or maybe a cold 2
wayward inspired me to do the same thing. Dropped off a nice arrangement earlier this morning with a note wishing her a speedy recovery and mentioning our thanks from various wellwishers throughout the community I've talked to including here at IP.com, MOM's, Merry Ann's, and others. One of the 3rd shift managers over at CVS even chipped in after yet another one of our conversations on the subject. Seems like almost all the night-owls that ever had a chance to interact with her were left with a favorable impression and wish her well.
Kudos to wayward for the inspiration. Felt good to do something nice for someone who really put it on the line for us.
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Glock21 Op/Ed