FBI Will Investigate Kiwane Carrington Shooting

The FBI will be brought in to have a separate look at what occurred in Champaign on the day that Kiwane Carrington was fatally shot.

City Police Chief R.T. Finney says he wants a fresh set of eyes from outside Champaign County to have a look at State Police reports concerning the confrontation and scuffle with police on October 9th that resulted in the 15-year old's death. This federal investigation would not review the decision by Champaign County State's Attorney Julia Reitz, who determined this week that no charges would be filed locally against officer Daniel Norbits.

Finney says this separate investigation could result in federal civil rights or criminal violations. Finney notes this request comes after groups like CU Citizens for Peace and Justice were critical of the handling of the Carrington case and its result. "The FBI in some situations could prompt an investigation themselves. They did not do that," says Finney. "The investigation could be prompted by somone in community. That wasn't done. And so I determined I would do that myself and initiate this investigation to hoepfully appease some of the critics who are indicating this is not a fair investigation." Finney says a civil rights violation could result in civil penalties, like a consent decree concerning police policies. Finney says the Department of Justice could produce ideas similar to what's being suggested by Champaign city leaders in the wake of the Carrington shooting, like the hiring of more minority police officers.

Finney says there's no telling how long the FBI could take to review the case.