On November 23, 2013, at approximately 11:50 AM, Champaign Police officers responded to a “check welfare” call due to loud noises and possible gunshots heard coming from an apartment, located in the 2000 block of Cynthia Drive.
Upon arrival, officers also heard sounds coming from the apartment which resembled gunshots and attempted to make contact with the resident of the apartment. When officers could not determine if an armed subject was inside the apartment, a perimeter was established around the apartment complex and several residents were evacuated from their residences, as a safety precaution. Cynthia Drive at Bloomington Road and Anita Drive were blocked off to motorists and the Department’s Negotiations and Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams were summoned to the scene to make further attempts at contacting the resident.
The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District provided two buses to shelter evacuated residents and the Champaign Unit 4 School District provided snacks and the use of facilities within Garden Hills Elementary school.
During the event, the Metro Swat Team, comprised of officers from the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, Urbana Police Department, University of Illinois Department of Public Safety and the Rantoul Police Department, provided assistance to the Champaign SWAT team.
The property’s management staff helped police to gain entry into the resident’s apartment, which was found with extensive damages and believed to be the source of the loud noises heard by residents. At 5:04 PM, officers made contact with a male subject, who was in the residence alone and who did not appear to be fully oriented to his surroundings. He was transported by ambulance, without incident, to Presence Covenant Medical Center for an evaluation. No weapon was located at the scene and no arrest was made.