Family, Friends Remember U of I Shooting Victim; Alleged Gunman Still At Large
CHICAGO (CBS) -- University of Illinois Police believe suspect from weekend shooting to be a man on parole from another gun crime.
Champaign Police released surveillance video recorded near campus early Sunday. It shows the moment shots were fired, sending party-goers and bystanders running for cover, CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez reports.
"This is a tragedy. Individuals are out enjoying an evening out...shattered by the careless and horrific acts of others," University of Illinois Police Chief Jeff Christian said.
Twenty-two year old George Korchev of Mundelein, who was walking by, was shot and killed. He was one of four hit by gunfire.
Police issued Wednesday an arrest warrant for 18-year-old Robbie M. Patton.
Patton is no stranger to law enforcement, as he plead guilty to aggravated discharge of a weapon just last April.
"It was a shooting in a parking lot of a Steak and Shake, in broad daylight on a public street in a very public place," said Julia Reitz, Campaign County States Attorney.
Patton was sentenced to eight years, but he only served a couple months, Reitz said.
"Over our objection he was approved for boot camp," Reitz said. "He completed boot camp and was paroled approximately three weeks ago."
U of I students gathered Tuesday and Wednesday nights for vigils marking the dark event.
The University of Illinois Police Department ask anyone on campus to share video, pictures or any information to help catch the suspect. Police believe the suspect to be armed, dangerous and still in the area.
A vigil was held Wednesday afternoon for Korchev, in his hometown in Mundelein, followed by a wake in Buffalo Grove. He was preparing for a new job as a nurse. "It's just so heartbreaking that his life was taken so soon," Samantha Hoft, a friend said at Korchev's vigil Wednesday.
"George is the happiest person I've bet in my life," Michael Zimmerman added.
The three others shot are recovering.
There is no evidence the second shooting that night was related.
Tonight, police are still looking for Patton. It's believed that he's in the Champaign area. Police ask that if you recognize anyone from that surveillance video, contact them.
