‘A highly successful operation’: Champaign officials hope for less violence after illegal firearm crackdown

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — An ongoing investigation into gun violence in Champaign is off to a promising start after a roundup of suspects and guns.

A joint operation between Champaign Police Department’s investigations and patrol served six search warrants throughout the city Tuesday morning. The warrants led to police seizing eight illegally possessed firearms and arresting five people.

Police put out search warrants in six different areas throughout Champaign and Urbana. In particular, they put their focus on areas recently experiencing incidents of gun violence. Champaign police say the investigation is off to an encouraging start.

It’s just the beginning of the Champaign Police Department’s crackdown on violent crimes.

Deputy Chief Geoff Coon called it ‘a highly successful operation” and said the impacts of this investigation are massive for the city of Champaign.

“Obviously, we take the weapons out of individuals that shouldn’t have them. Weapons charges obviously will stem from this. And I think it will be very effective in calming some situations in this community,” Coon said.

Five people throughout Champaign were arrested in connection to the investigation — including one 18-year-old and one juvenile. Initial charges for all will relate to the unlawful possession of firearms.

Banio Koroma Jr. is the founder of “Vision to Succeed” — a Champaign-based violence prevention program. He says getting dangerous guns off the streets is good news for everybody.

“This is a victory not just for the city of Champaign, but for the entire community,” Koroma said.

“Obviously, the more guns there are on the streets, the more likely the individuals are going to use those guns. So the fewer guns we have in the streets, especially from those who aren’t authorized to have them, then the lower the incidence of gun violence and gun crimes,” he added.

Coon says although the investigation is still ongoing, a critical first step in the battle against gun violence in Champaign has been taken.

“We’re just doing our part as far as what we can do to just keep things calm and make people feel safer in their neighborhoods,” Coon said.

The investigation is still ongoing. Police urge anybody with additional information about gun violence to reach out to them.

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