DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A 33-year-old Danville man has been found not guilty on all three first degree murder charges he faced for over two years following a deadly shooting.

On May 4, 2023, Danville Police responded to the 1200 block of Chandler St. for the report of a fight in progress. A gunshot was fired during the fight, and 33-year-old Christopher J. Smalls of Danville died due to the gunshot wound. After a suspect was developed, Brandon A. Buford, then 31-years-old, was arrested on three first degree murder charges the following day.

On July 17, 2025, a jury found Buford not guilty of the three following first-degree murder charges:

• Two charges of murder/intent to kill/injure
• One charge of murder/strong prob kill/injure

The trial lasted four days and the jury deliberated for just over four hours on Thursday before reaching a decision. Since his arrest, Buford, 33-years-old of Danville, remained in the custody of the Vermilion County Sheriff.

WCIA reached out to the Vermilion County State’s Attorney’s Office and Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy for a statement regarding Thursday’s verdict but have not immediately received a response back. Buford’s attorney, Alfred Ivy, could not be reached for comment.