Breaking: New Details Emerge in Campustown Weekend Shooting Investigation

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A man is in a serious yet stable condition following a shooting incident on the University of Illinois campus over the weekend. The University of Illinois Police Department announced the arrest of 18-year-old Decoven Stephens from Urbana on Monday morning, linking him to the weekend shooting.

Stephens was apprehended at his residence, where officers also discovered the firearm allegedly used in the crime. Detective Ryan Snow, leading the investigation, noted that the weapon was unlawfully owned and used by Stephens, with its serial numbers deliberately altered, adding further legal complications.

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The incident unfolded when police reacted to gunfire reports near the intersection of Green and Fifth Streets early Saturday morning. Within moments, they located a male victim with gunshot wounds, who was promptly transported to the hospital for treatment.

Detective Snow highlighted the immediate utilization of surveillance footage on the night of the shooting. He mentioned that the event was captured on camera, supplemented by dash cam footage from a passerby, which further aided the investigation.

Snow added that the relationship with the public is the most important part of solving crimes like this.

“We have cameras, and we have lots of different resources open for our use as far as solving crimes. But very seriously, without the input from the public, them allowing us to see it from their perspective, their stories, that’s what helped solve this case,” Snow said. “If you’re going to commit a crime, the University of Illinois campus is not the place to do it. This case specifically shows that we have a lot of resources, and we’re going to use every single one of them to try to keep everybody safe.”

Snow also shared that they are still investigating this case.