Three Hospitalized After Shooting Outside Central High School
Champaign Central High School Travis Stansel/Illinois Public Media
At least three people were hospitalized after a shooting outside Central High School in Champaign Friday night, according to police. A news release from the Champaign Police Department said an unknown shooter fired multiple shots around 9:20pm as a crowd left a basketball game at the school.
The injured include a 17-year-old Champaign woman, an 18-year-old Parkland student and a 15-year-old Danville High School student. The Central basketball team hosted Danville Friday night in a game that the Champaign News-Gazette described as "tense.”
All three victims were taken to a hospital for injuries that appeared to not be life threatening, according to Champaign Police spokesperson LaEisha Meaderds.
Champaign Unit 4 schools said in a tweet overnight that the investigation into the shooting continues. "Authorities are focused on the health and safety of our students and community," the district said in the tweet. "We respectfully ask for your patience as we gather details."
Danville school officials said in a statement on the Danville High School Facebook page that the DHS student injured in the shootings had been released from the hospital.
"Crisis teams will be available for our students on Monday and plans are being made to ensure future safety," Danville school officials said.
Police said they're unsure whether another shooting in Champaign about 15 minutes earlier might be connected. In that shooting, police found a 25-year-old man in a vehicle in the 2000 block of Cynthia Drive in the Garden Hills neighborhood. He was taken to a local hospital with an apparently non-life threatening gunshot wound.
Champaign has seen a string of shootings over the past few years. Recently, police and community groups have seen some signs of success from efforts to reduce the gun violence. Recent programs include CU Fresh Start, the Champaign Urbana Area Project's Truce and Peace Seekers initiatives and ongoing trauma training for community groups and schools.
Police are asking anyone with information on the shooting at Central High School to call the investigations division at 217-351-4545. Information can be sent anonymously through Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477.
(This article was updated 10:30 AM 12/9/17)