On November 25, 2017, at approximately 4:10 a.m., Champaign Police Officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 2500 block of W. Springfield Ave. Upon arrival, they found 28-year-old Martrell Johnson, an African American male, had sustained a gunshot wound. Johnson was transported to an area hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Country Brook Apartments, where Johnson was attending a party. A confrontation had taken place at the party, leading to the shooting.
Following the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued on November 27, 2017, for 29-year-old Travis Marshall, also of Champaign, Illinois, on charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon in connection with Johnson's death. Marshall, who was on parole for unlawful possession of a controlled substance at the time of the shooting, was arrested on July 26, 2018, by Champaign Police Detectives with assistance from the US Marshals Service. He was taken into custody without incident.
Marshall was formally charged with three counts of First Degree Murder in connection with Johnson's death. Surveillance video showed Marshall firing a shot in Johnson's direction, hitting him. The investigation revealed that Marshall had a prior conviction of attempted armed violence from 2006. If convicted of first-degree murder, Marshall faces 45 years to natural life in prison.
The investigation into Johnson's death is ongoing, and authorities continue to seek information from the public. Anyone with additional information regarding the shooting is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers. Despite the arrest, the case remains under active investigation as police work to gather more details and ensure justice for Martrell Johnson.
