Champaign Man Gets 25 Years for Stabbing First Responders Who Answered His Own Emergency Call

A call for help turned into an attack

Trevor Lewis, 23, of Champaign, pleaded guilty Thursday to stabbing three first responders who arrived at a mental health call he himself placed last September.

Lewis will serve 25 years in prison for attempted first-degree murder, with the sentence to be served at 85 percent under Illinois law.

The night it happened

On Sept. 4, 2025, first responders were dispatched to a call requesting a mental health evaluation at around 9:38 p.m., Assistant State's Attorney Scott Larson said.

Responders from the Champaign Fire Department and the Cornbelt Fire Protection District found Lewis sitting outside and drinking an alcoholic beverage. He appeared calm but made suicidal statements, according to Larson.

After speaking with the crew for some time, the situation turned violent.

"One of the firefighters turned away and Lewis produced a six-inch-long knife and attacked, stabbing them in the back," Larson said.

Lewis then swung at an Arrow Ambulance paramedic's chest. The paramedic turned, and the weapon struck their bicep instead.

Lewis then chased the second firefighter, bringing him to the ground and stabbing him nine times, including twice in the head, according to State's Attorney Julia Rietz.

The assault only stopped when the injured paramedic tackled Lewis and pinned the knife to the ground, Larson said.

The motive

A radio call for police backup went out at around 9:52 p.m. Champaign police responded and detained Lewis.

Lewis was first transported to a hospital because he had stabbed himself during the struggle. He was later held at the Champaign County Jail until his plea hearing.

According to at least one police officer, Lewis told officers during the ride to the hospital that he had wanted police to respond to his call, not first responders.

"I was hoping to stab the officers so they would kill me," Lewis reportedly said, according to the officer's report.

Sentencing and background

In addition to the 25-year sentence for attempted murder, Lewis received 10-year sentences for each of two aggravated battery charges. Those sentences will run concurrently with the attempted murder term.

Two other counts of attempted murder and one additional aggravated battery charge were dismissed as part of the negotiated plea.

Lewis has a history of violent and self-destructive behavior:

• Prior juvenile convictions for threatening a school or business and criminal damage to property
• A 2020 conviction for setting fire to his mother's home, an act that appeared to be a suicide attempt

During his sentencing hearing, Lewis spoke about struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, according to court records.

His attorney, Public Defender Elisabeth Pollock, requested that Lewis be considered for drug abuse and mental health treatment while incarcerated.

First responders in court

Members of the Champaign Firefighters Local 1260 were present in court Thursday to hear the proceedings.

Lt. Courtney Moravek and firefighter Robert Poynton were both injured in the September attack. All three victims were released from the hospital within about a week of the incident.

First responder organizations rallied around the victims in the aftermath and have attended Lewis' previous court dates, according to the News-Gazette.

The case underscores a growing concern among first responder groups in central Illinois about the dangers of answering mental health calls without adequate backup or specialized training.