CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS — A 17-year-old was killed, and four others were wounded Friday when a gunman opened fire in a parking lot. The incident occurred at the American Legion Post 559, where an employee said that a “Repast for David” celebration was being held. The gathering followed the funeral of Champaign shooting victim David E. Dalton, Jr, 32, who was shot in the back on June 20th and died at a hospital.
CPD Deputy Chief Matt Henson said that officers responding to reports of shots fired found the 17-year-old with life-threatening gunshot wounds to his chest. The teen was rushed to a local hospital and pronounced dead. He was identified by Coroner Duane Northrup as Kieshaun Lamar Thatch. An autopsy was scheduled for Saturday. The other four people that were wounded included a pregnant woman, and all are expected to survive.
Police estimated that at least 100 rounds were exchanged in the parking lot, and no arrests have yet been made. Champaign Police Chief Anthony Cobb said witnesses at the scene were uncooperative. “Very few were willing to provide information. Our officers encountered verbal hostility, limited cooperation and anger from the crowd. We need cooperation from the public. We need people who were there to speak up, open their mouths and say what’s going on. The streets are talking. People know what’s going on … and they can make us aware of it.”
Just remember, Chief…you can’t help people who don’t want to help themselves.
