She was told to return to court March 15. Anthony J. Focus on politics, military news and security alerts RANTOUL His first day on the job wasn't until Monday. Share with Us. Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. High 63F. RANTOUL Police responded to a fight with the report of a gunshot fired Tuesday afternoon near Rantoul Township High School.Rantoul police Sgt. For some, home can be a specific aroma that transports them back in time. Rantoul And we have something even more powerful: knowledge and experience, IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra writes. The officers involved in the shooting are uninjured. As Mennenga was driving to the stolen car, she stopped to ask Mr. Lee, who was walking east, if he had somewhere to stay for the night. Rantoul Police release reports, body camera footage of officer-involved shooting Coverage: 2 sources Azaan Lee, 21, died after being shot by his own gun during a struggle with police officers. Pull out what youve got. 333 South Tanner Rantoul, IL 61866 that is degrading to another person. Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. We intend to make a full detailing of the events available to the public as soon as we are permitted to do so by the CCMJIT and the Champaign County states attorney.. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Krista A. Woltz-Hernandez, 44, and Julie L. McGowan, 65, of Rantoul were killed in the crash, which was reported about 5:12 p.m. Monday on U.S. Route 45 at 1190 North Road, which is about 2 miles. We want these things to happen. County: Champaign. Police UPDATE: Tornado watch issued until 3 p.m. Biden defends Afghanistan exit, Newsfeed Now: Last US troops leave Afghanistan; Man, Newsfeed Now: US racing to finish Afghanistan withdrawal;, Newsfeed Now: The nation mourns after US service, Celebrating Central Illinois: First Responders, Fallen officer Chris Oberheims partner opens up, Plans move forward for Urbana solar farm that could, Champaign community raises $25,000 and counting for, Champaign Co. deputys passion to serve stronger, Lot fees jump over 50 percent at Mahomet mobile home, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Chicago Teen Gets Probation For Rantoul Holdup. menu. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. McComas lost sight of him as they followed on foot, then assisted other officers in setting up a perimeter and looking for Mr. Lee. Small Classes. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Brown said his department wants to be as transparent as possible. We have little doubt the activities of these , Judges, for a variety of reasons, hate when criminal defendants decide to act as their own lawyers. A still-closed bridge over I-74 big changes coming to a big-box store in Urbana safety concerns along far-west Springfield Avenue in Champaign world-class sporting goods made right here in Champaign and much more. This team will spend the next several days and weeks conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and completing reports in regards to this shooting. We'd love to hear eyewitness Body-camera footage released Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, by Rantoul police shows Officer Jose Aceves patting the front pocket the sweatshirt of Azaan Lee, 21, as he asks whats inside while talking with him about a report of a stolen vehicle late on the night of Feb. 6 near the intersection of Belle Avenue, Ohio Street and Tanner Avenue. Aceves, Lee and McComas, who had jumped in to get Lee into custody, all fell to the ground. Additionally, an internal review will be conducted by the Rantoul Police Department to assess the use of force. Officer Aceves said he could see a rectangular heavy object in the pocket of Lee's sweatshirt. Azaan Lee, formerly of Chicago, died from his wounds after he was shot in the left leg, with the bullet perforating the femoral artery, according to Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup. McComas asked him what was in his front sweatshirt pocket. records . Once you meet them, you will love them! Explore USA local news alerts & today's headlines geolocated on live map on website or application. PACAs efforts to salvage items from Illini Hall why Memorial Stadium is lit up long after the end of football season MTD fare info for townies who cross through the no-fare zone on campus info for rural readers who do not yet have broadband internet access plus much more. Officer Aveces and I continued to give orders to Azaan to get on the ground. Note: If you would like an unredacted copy of a traffic crash report, please send a subpoena or an order signed by a judge along with your request. Cooper is a two-year-old certified therapy dog. Ask the expert: Legally speaking, can county sheriffs opt to not enforce parts of assault-weapons ban? "In accordance to Illinois State Statutes and Rantoul Police policy surrounding officer involved shootings, a multi-jurisdictional team of investigators has been called to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Use the 'Report' link on created or verified by RecordsFinder. News and notes from our panel of 39 aspiring journalists from area schools. Job Type: Salaried Full Time. The footage, captured from the body camera of fellow Officer Rikki McCombas, shows Lee turn away from Aceves, after which a struggle ensues, they all go to the ground, a gunshot is heard, and Lee runs away, with Aceves firing three shots at him. McComas said she saw a large bulge in Mr. Lees front sweatshirt pocket that was weighing it down and asked him what was in there. We intend to make a full detailing of the events available to the public as soon as we are permitted to do so by the CCMJIT and the Champaign County States Attorney.. WAND TV. Aceves said it looked like Lee was trying to pull the gun out of his pocket. RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) Rantoul Police officers said a woman was arrested in connection to a deadly fight. person will not be tolerated. The stolen car was found at Scott St. and Campbell Ave. just after 11 p.m. Officers took the woman to the area to identify it. King heard McComas say that the gun went off in Mr. Lee's sweatshirt, he may be hit and he ran north. The weather service issued a thunderstorm . Biden announces aggressive new, Newsfeed Now: Biden to launch new plan against COVID-19, Newsfeed Now: Health experts concerned about COVID-19, Newsfeed Now: Pres. We talked to BestReviews nutrition expert, Molly Bremer, about her favorite whole grains and how to use them. Your use of RecordsFinder is conditioned on your The officers and staff of the Rantoul Police Department are committed to professionalism and community, and we will take an active role in answering questions and responding to the needs of our community as we continue forward.. He did not know that other officers had already spoken with Lee or that the stolen vehicle had been recovered. 21 Northwestern 62, Oil spilled when turbine crashed down near Paxton. mug shots Lee emptied his pants pockets, showing a lighter, change, and a headphones case. She radioed METCAD that shots had been fired and ran after Mr. Lee. By DAVE HINTONRantoul Press editorRantoul police took four juveniles into custody and are investigating whether they are the ones involved in a rash of reports of damage and break-ins to Police detain four for vehicle break-ins | News | rantoulpress.com "In the spi, "To be absolutely clear, all of us present last Tuesday spoke in favor of Wiley's need for renovation. The gun remained on the ground. Officer Aceves said he fired because he was concerned about Lee being a danger to the public and possibly possessing another weapon. During the altercation, Mr. Lee and I both had a hold of his handgun. A four-letter word that can evoke such strong emotions and memories, both good and bad. A mix of clouds and sun early, then becoming cloudy later in the day. Officer Jose Aceves and Officer Rikki McComas have been put on administrative leave pending the case review by the Champaign County State Attorney's Office. Agency : Department of Military Affairs. Officers rolled him on his back, cut off his pants and found a bullet hole in his left thigh. Biden announces aggressive new, Newsfeed Now: Biden to launch new plan against COVID-19, Newsfeed Now: Health experts concerned about COVID-19, Newsfeed Now: Pres. Brown said during their leave, theyre required to go to at least one counseling session for their mental health. That footage is showing us Lee's final moments and lets us hear his final words. Be Proactive. racist or sexually-oriented language. February 21, 2023. Aceves was hired by Rantoul police on April 9, 2022, and had been an officer with Mattoon police from February 2019 to April 2022. We are grateful for the communitys patience with respect to the investigation and our desire for a thorough investigation to proceed.. Light pollution in Mahomet peanuts and the Esquire Lounge in Champaign improving accessibility at Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana which area rail crossings are due for an upgrade future of Taylor Street cleanup at the old News-Gazette and much, much more. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.. Evening clouds will give way to clearing overnight. Rantoul Police Department Anthony J. While investigating the stolen vehicle, they said there was a "physical encounter with an armed male subject and shots were fired.". Transparency is one of our core values, and we certainly appreciate our obligation to be responsive to the needs of our community, Brown said. You have permission to edit this article. Rantoul police were the first to acquire body cams in Champaign County, and still the results of this incident are the same. Rantoul police say they were investigating a stolen vehicle on Monday night around 11:18 pm near the intersection of W. Belle St. and N. Ohio Ave. when shots were fired by an officer, hitting a suspect. Be Proactive. Check the Rantoul Police Records Search The News Gazette reports Aceves and Lee got back up and struggled over the gun. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Officer Rikki McComas joined Aceves and recognized Lee from before. Click here to see our subscription options. racist or sexually-oriented language. Brown said his department delayed its internal investigation until the Champaign County Multi-Jurisdictional Investigative Team had finished its work so as not to interfere with the independent investigators. Paxton police, assisted by the Ford County sheriff's office, Gibson City and Rantoul police, the Illinois State Police and the U.S. Marshal's Service, obtained multiple search warrants for . She saw Aceves fire in Mr. Lees direction but said the shots didnt appear to hit him because Mr. Lee never slowed. Aceves then got up and fired his duty weapon three times in Lees direction, but none of those shots hit him, police said. Here are three reasons, just to get started. One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021. Scoopnest. The News Gazette said Officer McComas arrived and asked Lee if he had any keys on him, because officers learned the keys to the stolen car were missing. An autopsy was conducted by the Champaign County Coroners Office. Low 31F. The police department recognizes and understands the feelings of the public and the scrutiny of police actions which surround any serious use of force incident. Scott Souza, Patch Staff Beverly | News | Jan 20 Beverly Drug. Officer Haley Mennenga was the first to have contact with a distraught 20-year-old woman whose running vehicle had been stolen from the 200 block of West Belle Avenue about 10:40 p.m. One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021. Officer Jose Aceves, who knew a car had been stolen, but did not know the other officers had already talked to Lee, saw him walking near the intersection of Belle Ave., Tanner St. and Ohio Ave. Plan/BU: Excluded - Federally Funded 000. reports search, including current & recent He did but returned a short time later, saying his friend had not answered her door. Fire pit tables provide heat and a place to set down food and drinks, making them great for outdoor entertaining. The coroner determined that the bullet fired from Lees gun perforated his femoral artery, resulting in his death. More News from WRBL In a news. Rantoul, Illinois . from Government The Rantoul Police Department is committed to serving and protecting our community based on the ideals of community-based policing. They said the suspect ran on foot, eventually losing consciousness several blocks away. Moreover, Aceves reasonably would have potential concerns for his own safety and the safety of the public given the time of day, the lack of lighting, the appearance of a heavy object in Mr. Lees pocket and Mr. Lees actions when asked about the object. Don't knowingly lie about anyone During the struggle for the gun, McComas said all three of them fell to the ground but Mr. Lee got back up. While there, she heard Aceves say on the radio that he had made contact with a possible suspect and drove to his location to help him. In a rare move, Rantoul police quickly released video of the incident. All rights reserved. During the struggle, Aceves body camera fell off. Be Proactive. Prosecutors and police cant decline to enforce and prosecute under a statute on account of race or religion, but they can decline to prosecute if they think the law in question is unfair or, as in the current situation, unconstitutional," UI College of Law Dean Vik Amar says. that is degrading to another person. He feels its important for the community to see it to maintain trust with the department. We also thank the public for their patience and understanding during this process.". Rantoul, Illinois 61866. and are 21 Northwestern 62, Oil spilled when turbine crashed down near Paxton. As shift sergeant, King contacted the deputy police chief to have the use-of-force team investigate. The woman told Mennenga she was warming it to run to the store for diapers and that it was unlocked with the keys in the ignition. 4 area stars will be wrestling for state titles Saturday night. Latest Rantoul Police News from top sources, including WAND NBC Decatur NBC Decatur, Champaign News-Gazette Champaign. He said he was not driving because he had been drinking a lot and that he was supposed to be in the area where the vehicle was stolen. Sexism or any sort of -ism officer Rikki McComas joined Aceves and recognized Lee from before not. 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