University of Illinois Police Arrest Second Juvenile in Armed Threats Case, Recovering a Ghost Gun

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — University of Illinois Police have arrested a second juvenile in connection with an armed threats call that prompted a campus-wide emergency alert on August 23, according to department statements and local news reporting.

Officers located the second individual around 11 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, near Fifth and Green streets in Champaign. The person matched the description of the suspect who had been at large since the initial incident.

During a stop for questioning, the juvenile repeatedly placed their hands in their pockets despite officers' commands to keep their hands visible, department reports said. A search of the juvenile uncovered a loaded firearm in the waistband.

The juvenile was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center on preliminary charges of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a non-serialized firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm without a Firearm Owner's Identification card.

The recovered firearm was not serialized, meaning it did not bear the unique identification number required by Illinois law. Such weapons are commonly referred to as ghost guns. University of Illinois Police said they will continue investigating the source of the firearm and will seek to identify anyone involved in its creation or transfer for potential criminal prosecution.

The case traces back to the early morning of Sunday, August 23, when officers were dispatched to the 700 block of South Fifth Street at 12:37 a.m. following reports of two armed individuals making threats. Officers arrived in under two minutes and immediately located a juvenile matching the description of one of the suspects.

That juvenile fled from officers but was apprehended a short time later. A firearm was recovered along the path the juvenile took while running, police said. Officers continued searching the immediate area but were unable to locate the second suspect, prompting a campus-wide Illini-Alert emergency notification to all students, faculty, and staff.

Following the on-scene investigation, officers determined the second suspect was no longer in the area and issued an all-clear notification. The first juvenile was taken into custody on preliminary charges of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a non-serialized firearm, and resisting or obstructing a peace officer.

Because of the age of the suspects, officials said no further details regarding the investigation will be released. University of Illinois Police investigators and Real-Time Information Center analysts have been reviewing security camera footage from the area and continue to seek evidence or information from witnesses.

Police said they have focused additional security resources on the Green Street area and will maintain that presence throughout the semester. Authorities do not believe the incident poses an ongoing threat to the safety of the campus community.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the University of Illinois Police Department at 217-333-1216. Witnesses may remain anonymous by calling Champaign County Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477, visiting 373tips.com, or using the P3 Tips mobile app available on iOS and Android.