Elijha James Booker, a 14-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on May 11, 2019, in Champaign, Illinois. The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. when Champaign Police responded to a private residence in the 1600 block of Hedge Road. Upon arrival, officers found Elijha with life-threatening injuries from an apparent gunshot wound. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital shortly after.
The preliminary investigation by the Champaign Police Department revealed that Elijha was visiting the residence when a 15-year-old male inadvertently discharged a firearm inside the house. This accidental discharge resulted in the fatal injury to Elijha and non-life-threatening injuries to a 17-year-old male who was also present. The 17-year-old was treated and released from the hospital later that day.
Following the incident, the Champaign County State’s Attorney filed a petition in juvenile court for charges of involuntary manslaughter and unlawful use of a weapon against the 15-year-old male involved in the shooting. However, the 15-year-old has not been cooperative with the investigation, and a juvenile court warrant has been issued for his arrest. The police are actively seeking his whereabouts.
The investigation into Elijha's death remains ongoing, and the Champaign Police Department continues to encourage anyone with information to come forward. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers, ensuring that the information provided remains confidential.
