Media Contact: LaEisha Meaderds | 217-621-4440 | police@champaignil.gov

This morning, at approximately 12:38 AM, Champaign Police Officers responded to the 300 Block of E. Green St. in Champaign after receiving multiple reports of shots fired.

Four victims were located on-scene with gunshot wounds. The victims were transported to area hospitals, where one died from his injuries and three reportedly sustained non-critical injuries. A fifth individual who was running from the gunfire was struck by a vehicle on E. Green St. and received minor injuries.

Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup has identified the deceased as George Korchev of Mundelein, IL. Mr. Korchev was pronounced dead at 1:02 AM at Carle Foundation Hospital.

Preliminary investigations suggest that an argument took place during an apartment party in the 300 Block of E. Green. The argument transitioned outside where a fight broke out and shots were fired. The victims in the incident were not involved in the fight. Mr. Korchev was walking near the area when the shots were fired.

Approximately 30 minutes later, at 1:08 AM, police received another report of gunfire in the 700 Block of S. State St. in Champaign. Upon arrival, officers located a victim who was transported to an area hospital for a non-critical gunshot wound.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the two shooting incidents may be related. Police are seeking a suspect(s) in both shootings as well as the driver involved in the vehicle accident. Investigators are currently processing the scene, reviewing video surveillance and interviewing potential witnesses. Anyone who was at the party or who may have witnessed any of these incidents is urged to contact the Champaign Police Investigations Division at police@champaignil.gov or phone 217-351-4545.

Citizens are reminded that information may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers calls are completely anonymous and are routed to a third-party national call center that receives the information, completes a tips information form, and then passes that information to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Caller ID tracking is not utilized by Crime Stoppers and conversations are not recorded.

Anonymous tips can be shared: by phone at 217-373-8477 (TIPS); online at www.373tips.com; or by texting “CCTIP” plus the crime information to 274637 (CRIMES). Crime Stoppers will pay a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for these crimes.

Additional details will be released as the investigations develop.