Dear campus community member:
We would like to inform you of a crime that has recently occurred in an area just off campus. Although this crime does not represent a continuing threat to campus, we wanted you to be aware.
The Urbana Police Department released information this morning about a shooting which occurred around 2:04 a.m. Sunday in the 800 block of West Springfield Avenue, Urbana (map), where a large party was taking place. Investigators have determined that a group of about five people arrived to join the party. They were denied access at the door, and proceeded to rob two bystanders. One of the offenders reportedly displayed a handgun during the robbery. Several people from the house party attempted to intervene, and shots were fired by the offenders. A 21-year-old U. of I. student and a 23-year-old woman were injured during the shooting. Both women were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The offenders ran eastbound, away from the campus area. A description of the offenders was not available.
The University of Illinois Police Department is assisting the Urbana Police Department in its investigation of this incident. Anyone who was at the house party or who has video or photographs from the party or the incident are encouraged to contact the Urbana Police Department at 217-384-2320. Witnesses may remain anonymous by calling Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477 (373-TIPS), by visiting www.373tips.com or by providing information through the P3 Tips mobile app available on iOS and Android. All messages to Crime Stoppers are electronically stripped of identifying information and forwarded to police by an independent third party.
We will continue to issue updates about this incident as significant developments occur. This message alone is not necessarily an indication that crime rates on campus have increased or that a pattern of crime has emerged. For a more comprehensive look at crime in your area, please visit CrimeReports.com or visit the University of Illinois Police Department to view the daily crime log.
The University of Illinois Police Department has a full complement of officers patrolling the campus area, and we are fortunate to have our force supplemented by the Urbana and Champaign police departments. Between these agencies, the Urbana campus is one of the most highly-patrolled areas in the region. More than 1,700 security cameras are posted around campus to deter crime and identify offenders.
This is our community. Let's stay together.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus is a very safe one, but a community of our size will never be crime-free. U. of I. Police and its partner law enforcement agencies work hard to prevent crime and to quickly identify and arrest offenders when crime occurs, but you play the most important role in keeping our campus community safe.
- Stay together. Do not walk alone at night. Travel in groups and in well-lit areas. Call 217-333-1216 for a SafeWalks escort if you need one.
- Be alert, and trust your instincts. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Call police if something looks odd — we're happy to assist, and even the smallest bit of information could prevent another crime.
- Watch out for each other. Call 911 immediately if you or someone else is in danger. The University encourages students to take appropriate action to protect others’ safety by reducing students’ fear of legal or disciplinary consequences to the victim or themselves. For more information, please review the Medical Amnesty and Good Samaritan procedures.
- If you choose to consume alcohol, please be responsible. Remember your ability to respond is diminished by overconsumption of alcohol.
Please take a moment to review these resources we have made available to keep you informed, and consider liking UIPD on Facebook, following us on Twitter or subscribing to our news feed to receive regular updates.
Public Safety
sent to:
Everyone