Urbana High's Winter Guard is a special group with high expectations heading to state. Aceves, Lee and McComas, who had jumped in to get Lee into custody, all fell to the ground. 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. Portugues. Here are three reasons, just to get started. Aceves said he and Mr. Lee were struggling for control of the gun, and that he believed Mr. Lee was trying to pull it out of his pocket. Rantoul Police officials said Officers Jose Aceves and Rikki McComas were investigating a stolen vehicle when shots were fired. As a convicted felon, it was illegal for Lee to have a gun. Low 32F. 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.. person will not be tolerated. Ask the expert: Legally speaking, can county sheriffs opt to not enforce parts of assault-weapons ban? According to the department, officers and AMT Ambulance workers provided medical aid to Lee at the scene following the shooting. 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. How have the courts ruled on the constitutionality of similar bans? Plan/BU: Excluded - Federally Funded 000. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Illinois men's basketball beat writer and AP Top 25 voter Scott Richey weighs in on his latest ballot, Mahomet-Seymour and St. Joseph-Ogden will try to keep their seasons going into the Sweet 16., St. Thomas More girls' basketball jetted out to an early lead and never really relented in M, Illinois women's basketball beat writer and AP Top 25 voter breaks down this week's poll, Plenty of Top 25 teams lost last week, but Illinois couldn't take advantage to get back in the poll. The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Don't Threaten. Policy, Rantoul, IL police records online for free, Criminal On Wednesday, Champaign County States Attorney Julia Reitz said that the officers actions were legally justifiable.. You can see him pat Lee down on the body camera video. 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. Use the 'Report' link on Our Students. He did not know that other officers had already spoken with Lee or that the stolen vehicle had been recovered. Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. McComas left to act as backup to Aceves. Mechanical. If you would like to request, pay for, and receive your redacted crash report via e-mail, use E-PAY . RANTOUL His first day on the job wasn't until Monday. search. Whats in your front sweatshirt pocket? you can hear McComas say in the footage. RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) Rantoul Police officers said a woman was arrested in connection to a deadly fight. 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.. 21-year-old Azaan Lee of Champaign was hit by gunfire and was later pronounced dead at Carle Hospital in Urbana. About that same time, Mennenga heard Aceves say he was stopping a person he thought matched the description of the car thief at the intersection of Belle, North Ohio Avenue and North Tanner Street. Feb 17, 2023 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 what's inside. This week's panelists: Amber Oberheim, Terry von Thaden, Chuck Knox, retired judge Mike Jones, Mike Dilley, Susan McKinney, Durrell Robinson, Jane McFadden, Greg Cozad, Matt Hausman and Mike Roberts. Perform a free Rantoul, IL public police accounts, the history behind an article. You got anything? The company canceled the card in December 2021. Sixth Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Dyer on Friday ruled in favor of Jack Anderson and Wendell Golston, who argued the required four-year window had not passed before such a vote could take place. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk). Rantoul police release reports, body-camera footage on shooting involving officers that left man dead. For some, home can be a specific aroma that transports them back in time. Rantoul Police Department Anthony J. She was told to return to court March 15. King heard McComas say that the gun went off in Mr. Lee's sweatshirt, he may be hit and he ran north. Officials said Rantoul Police waited for the conclusion of the MJIT investigation before starting their own in order to avoid interfering with the independent investigators. Why choose RCS? Officers rolled him on his back, cut off his pants and found a bullet hole in his left thigh. menu. So many questions and so many answers. The official page of the Riverdale, Illinois Police Department. A four-letter word that can evoke such strong emotions and memories, both good and bad. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Be Proactive. We have a young man who lost his life. Based on the seriousness of the offense, the high probability of Mr. Lee being a danger to the public, and believing Mr. Lee could possess another weapon to shoot at myself or Officer McComas, I discharged three rounds of my service weapon towards Mr. Lee (northeast), he wrote, adding he did not believe he hit him. UPDATE: Tornado watch issued until 3 p.m. You have permission to edit this article. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Under the Rantoul departments contract with the union representing its officers, the officers involved had to be given an opportunity to sleep prior to being interviewed as part of the investigation, States Attorney Julia Rietz said. 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They found him because a citizen called to report hearing a man moaning in her backyard, the News Gazette reports. That footage is showing us Lee's final moments and lets us hear his final words. Big 10: What's your take on county sheriffs' stance on HB 5471? We'd love to hear eyewitness Preliminary autopsy results showed the cause of death was a single contact gunshot wound to the left inside thigh, tracking downward from front to back, perforating the left femoral artery. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Agencies We know that our community still has questions about this incident. How many Eisner grocery stores were in C-U? Number of Vacancies: 2. We ask the community for patience during this process. The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Clouds and some sun this morning with more clouds for this afternoon. Click here to see our subscription options. Asked why he was in Rantoul, Mr. Lee said his uncle lived nearby, but he didnt know the address. One-word answers: 40 community members weigh in on sheriffs' stance on assault weapons ban, 2022-23 High School Confidential, Week 16, Rantoul electoral board allows referendum on electing trustees to stay on ballot, Assault-weapons ban: Insights and opinions from activists, experts, legislators and law enforcement officers, Ballot breakdown | Another week, another Top 25 shakeup, 2023 boys' basketball postseason: Tuesday's sectional semifinal capsules, Sabers return to state for first time since 2014: 'I'm on cloud nine'. Click here to see our subscription options. Officers said as they were talking to her in the street,Azaan Lee came up and interacted with all of them. Police Officer Jose Aceves and Officer Rikki McComas have been put on paid administrative leave pending the case review by the Champaign County State Attorney's Office. Speaking alone with Mennenga, the victim said she believed Mr. Lee was visiting her neighbor. Brown said its a tragedy for the community. 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RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) The Rantoul Police Department released body camera footage on Thursday, as well as officer reports regarding an officer-involved shooting that left Azaan Lee, 21, dead earlier this month. Believing that Aceves was stopping Mr. Lee, Mennenga also decided to drive there to speak to Mr. Lee about the stolen vehicle. police departments Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. You have permission to edit this article. What's the next gun-reform step Illinois should take? As McComas interviewed a relative of the car-theft victim, Mr. Lee kept interrupting and volunteered that he had been dropped off by a friend from Champaign just minutes before police arrived. She radioed METCAD that shots had been fired and ran after Mr. Lee. Our mission is to maintain the safety of our citizens, to preserve the peace, to protect property, and to improve the quality of life in the Village of Rantoul. When we walked into the place, we were in awe as a team. 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 1807 S Neil St (at Fox Drive), Champaign, IL 61820, 3354 Big Pine Trl Ste C, Champaign, IL 61822. Rantoul Police Farmers may find equipment repair too daunting even after deal with John Deere, Bob's buzzer beaters | Not half bad, Illini, Editorial | White Castle ruling leaves bad taste in business community's mouth, Bob's buzzer beaters | Disappointing to say the least, A salute to the Champaign native who 'puts the 'heart in heartland', Season ticket changes aimed at bigger Memorial Stadium crowds, Instant reaction | Illinois 66, No. Although Champaign County States Attorney Julia Rietz said earlier this week that she found Aceves use of force in dealing with Mr. Lee legally justifiable, Aceves remains on administrative leave while his departmental superiors review his actions. We want, Many of the criminals apprehended because of a Crime Stoppers tip have lengthy criminal records. In a news release, Detective Sergeant James Schmidt said officers were called Monday afternoon regarding a battery victim at a hospital. King helped set up a perimeter as officers looked for the man, assisted by Champaign County sheriffs deputies. McComas was hired by Rantoul on Dec. 9, 2019, and had previously worked as a corrections officer with the Champaign County Sheriffs Office from February 2017 to December 2019. McComas asked him what was in his front sweatshirt pocket. As Mennenga tried to get her information, Mr. Lee approached alone. All Rights Reserved. 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. High 63F. Police were sent to 327 Rantoul St., at 8:36 p.m., for a report of two men fighting in the street. Biden surveys Ida cleanup in, Newsfeed Now: UPS driver spreads joy with TikTok, Newsfeed Now: Hurricane Ida death toll rises after, Newsfeed Now: Supreme Court allows Texas abortion, Newsfeed Now: Pres. More News from WRBL In a news. As shift sergeant, King contacted the deputy police chief to have the use-of-force team investigate. However, I do not expect any additional evidence or information to affect or alter my preliminary opinions, she said. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Cloudy early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. Answering those questions and others: a panel that includes Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts, Champaign County Sheriff Dustin Heuerman, Brady: United Against Gun Violence president Kris Brown, former Missouri Gov. Rantoul, Illinois . High 62F. traffic Officer Jose Aceves engaged with Lee a few blocks away from that investigation, not knowing that other officers were with him minutes before at the first scene. The Rantoul Police Department released on Thursday body camera footage and officer reports regarding an officer-involved shooting that left a 21-year-old Champaign man dead earlier this month. 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