On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 16-year-old Montrell Emery from Urbana, Illinois, was fatally shot in the back of the head in the 2400 block of Prairie Green Drive. The incident has left the community in shock and grief.
According to court documents, the shooting is believed to have been a premeditated act involving a setup by three other minors to obtain a gun from Emery.
The suspect, a 14-year-old Urbana teenager, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Emery's death.
The suspect made his first court appearance on Monday, March 20, 2023. Prior to this, the Urbana Police Department (UPD) had obtained an arrest warrant and located the suspect at a different property from his brother's house, where a gun believed to be connected to the murder was found. Lieutenant Michael Cervantes of the UPD expressed gratitude to the community for their help in locating the suspect but emphasized that more assistance is still needed to gather further details about the incident.
Montrell Emery was remembered by his mentor, Pastor Angel Johnson, as a team player both on and off the basketball court. Emery was known for his collaborative spirit and was scheduled to speak at a teen summit against gun violence hosted by Johnson's Angel Youth Center. Additionally, it was revealed that Emery’s girlfriend is pregnant, and he was looking forward to becoming a father.
The case highlights the urgent need for families to be aware of their teenagers' activities, as emphasized by the UPD. If convicted, the juvenile suspect could face up to six years in juvenile detention or up to 60 years if the case is transferred to adult court. The next court date for the suspect was set for March 28, 2023.
