Shootings Near U of I: 1 Student Dead, 4 Shot in Overnight Shooting Near Campus

CHAMPAIGN, IL — A 21-year-old man from north suburban Mundelein is dead and at least four others were shot overnight near the University of Illinois campus. Another person was hit by a car while running from the gunfire.

George Korchev, 21, of Mundelein, was pronounced dead at Carle Foundation Hospital at 1:02 a.m., according to Champaign County coroner Duane Northrup.

As of 8 a.m., suspects are not in custody, according to Champaign police.

Korchev, a university student and a 2013 graduate of Mundelein High School, was an innocent bystander who was walking near a fight in the 300 block of East Green Street when he was shot at about 12:38 a.m. Three others, also innocent bystanders, were shot at that location and sustained non-critical injuries, according to police.

Police said an argument during an apartment party spilled outside, a fight ensued and shots were fired. When police arrived, they found four gunshot victims. The shooter fled the area.

Police said a second report of gunfire was received at 1:08 a.m. in the 700 block of South State Street. There, police found another victim with a non-critical gunshot wound. Police believe the two shootings are related.

All of the injured were taken to Carle Hospital for treatment.

The editor of the Daily Illini, Masaki Sugimoto, posted a video to Twitter of the moment when the shots were fired.

"It really did startle me, my heart is still racing I haven't gone to sleep since this happened. My video recorded this at 12:40 in the morning and it just feels unreal that this could happen," said Kathryn Lawlor, a university graduate.

"Thankful to God that we are safe," she tweeted.

Police blocked several streets in the area, and patrons of local businesses were kept inside through the early morning hours as police searched the area for the shooter. As of this morning, police believe the shooter has left the area.

Deborah Frank Feinen, mayor of Champaign, issued the following statement.

"On behalf of the City of Champaign, my thoughts and prayers go out to the family of George Korchev, and the other innocent victims of the tragic shootings earlier this morning. This type of senseless gun violence is unacceptable in our community. The Champaign Police Department, University of Illinois Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies are aggressively pursuing all leads in this ongoing investigation. Anyone who witnessed or has any information about these tragic incidents should contact Champaign Police at 217-351-4545 or Crime Stoppers at 217-373-TIPS."

Investigators are interviewing witnesses, processing the crime scenes and reviewing video surveillance footage. 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.

Refresh this page for updates today as they become available.

Image via Google Street View