Urbana police report drop in shots-fired incidents; county sheriff gives separate update
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Summary
Urbana Police Department officials reported a 42% reduction in total shots-fired incidents in 2025 vs. 2024 and summarized community outreach programs; the Champaign County Sheriff's Office reported nine shooting incidents in 2025 (one injury) and zero so far in 2026.
An Urbana Police Department representative told the Community Coalition that the department saw fewer shooting incidents in 2025 than in 2024 and credited directed patrols and community partnerships for much of the decline. The speaker reviewed incident counts: shooting homicides were two in both 2024 and 2025; shootings with injuries fell from 12 in 2024 to six in 2025; shootings without injuries fell from 31 to 18; total shots-fired incidents dropped from 45 to 26—a reduction the speaker described as 42 percent. "That's a decrease of 19 shootings that equates to 42% reduction," the speaker said.
The representative recounted a specific late‑night shooting and robbery at a Circle K (507 West University Avenue) on Dec. 24, 2025, and said investigators have "some leading information" and hope to make arrests soon. The speaker described efforts to trace guns and said ATF rules here limit what can be made public: "The ATF here in Illinois doesn't allow me to make that information public," the speaker said.
The presentation highlighted several community programs tied to the department’s outreach, including a Thanksgiving basket giveaway that served more than 50 families, clothing and hygiene drives with Courage Connection, and three Shop with a Cop events in partnership with local organizations. A second police representative praised community involvement in hiring panels and complaint reviews, said the department is nearing full staffing, and highlighted collaboration with the city's Department of Equity and Engagement and violent interrupter programs.
A separate update from a Champaign County Sheriff's Office representative reported nine shooting incidents in 2025 with one injury and no homicides and said 2026 has recorded zero shootings so far.
Coalition members noted the expansion of co-responder pilots for mental-health calls and introduced Regina Parnell as returning to city work; no formal vote or budgetary commitment was announced.