1 dead, 4 wounded in shooting at American Legion post in Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A 17-year-old was killed and four others, including a pregnant woman, were wounded Friday when a gunman opened fire in the parking lot of an American Legion hall in Champaign, Illinois, authorities said.

Champaign Police confirmed in a news release that the woman and three men were injured at American Legion Post 559, WEEK-TV reported.

According to Deputy Chief Matt Henson, officers responding to reports of shots found the 17-year-old with life-threatening gunshot wounds to his chest, The News-Gazette of Champaign reported.

The teen, identified by Coroner Duane Northrup as Kieshaun Lamar Thatch, was pronounced dead at 3:33 p.m. CDT at an area hospital. the newspaper reported.

An autopsy is scheduled for Saturday, WICS reported.

A Legion employee told WAND-TV that the shooting occurred during a “Repast for David” celebration that followed the funeral of Champaign shooting victim David E. Dalton Jr., 32.

Dalton died at an area hospital after being shot in the back on June 20, the television station reported.

Police estimated that at least 100 rounds were exchanged in the parking lot, The News-Gazette reported. No arrests have been made.

Champaign Police Chief Anthony Cobb said witnesses at the scene were uncooperative.

“Very few were willing to provide information,” Cobb told reporters. “Our officers encountered verbal hostility, limited cooperation and anger from the crowd.

“We need cooperation from the public. We need people who were there to speak up, open their mouths and say what’s going on. The streets are talking. People know what’s going on … and they can make us aware of it.”

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