Urbana man charged in Champaign gun incident
CHAMPAIGN — An Urbana man who allegedly fired a shot inside a north Champaign apartment while unloading his gun has been charged with two felony counts.
Carl Smith, 20, of the 1600 block of East Florida Avenue, was charged Thursday with reckless discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a firearm.
Assistant State's Attorney Duke Harris said a woman was sleeping inside her apartment at University Village in the 2000 block of Moreland Boulevard about 12:30 a.m. Thursday when she was awakened by a bang.
She got up to investigate and found a bullet hole through her bedroom door and her roommate's door. Harris said the roommate told the woman that Smith was unloading his gun and it fired and that she shouldn't be alarmed. No one was physically injured.
The woman called police anyway. They arrested Smith at the apartment. Harris said they found bullet fragments in the door frame but could not locate a weapon.
The reckless discharge of a firearm charge alleges there were people present when Smith fired. The aggravated unlawful use of a firearm charge alleges he had a gun, not on his own property, and that he did not have a firearm owner's identification card.
Judge Richard Klaus set Smith's bond at $50,000 and ordered him to be back in court Dec. 20.
Harris said Smith had a prior conviction for aggravated robbery in Cook County.
Assistant Public Defender Stephanie Corum said Smith is a Parkland College student who's been in the community since August.
how can you unload a gun and fire at the same time? if it's a magazine you push a button and it ejects. if he opens the cylinder, there's nothing in the chamber. tell the story or don't charge! common sense matters here. if it's who I thinl iot is, take him yo jail if his nickname is BALDY! TAKE HIM TO JAIL AND THROW AWAY THE KEY.
I take it you are not a firearms expert. Accidental discharges happen all the time, even more so when the person holding the weapon has no clue what they are doing. Several semi auto handguns will still fire without a magazine in them as long as there is a round in the chamber.
IN THE MATTER OF FACT I HAVE A CLASS F LISCENE AND I WAS INQUIRING AS TO WAS IT AN ACCIDENT OR WAS IT WILLFUL ACT. THAT'S MY QUESTION. THE POLICE CHARGE PEOPLE WHO MAKE MISTAKES. IF THIS WAS ACCIDENTAL, LET HIM GO. IF IT WAS WILLFUL, CHARGE HIM. NOW, DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I AM SAYING? ARE YOU A THOUGHT PROCESS EXPERT?
I agree Skeete.....If it was an accident just let him go. None of the many children in the complex was injured or anyone else. He's only a convicted fellon for aggravated robbery, not like he killed anybody or shot them (that we know of). He was unloading a gun people, he's a concerned citizen and didn't want a loaded gun in the house. Then these CPD officers had to go over and probably rough him up. ENOUGH ALREADY COPS, LEAVE THESE INNOCENT CRIMINALS ALONE. Ainte that right Skeete?
Under Illinois Law, the sentence for Aggravated Robbery is a Class 1 felony. A Class 1 felony Aggravated Robbery is punishable by 4 to 15 years in prison. Under certain circumstances, the sentence for a Class 1 felony can be extended to 15 to 30 years in prison. Probation for an Aggravated Robbery may be an option unless specifically prohibited by 730 ILCS 5/5-5-3(c)2.
I sure hope the Champaign police wasn't too rough with this thug. He only shot a gun in an apartment building filled with kids, it's not like anyone was hurt. You cops better not have put a scratch on that innocent young gentleman. You cops are going to get the Rainbow Coalition involved. Be more like the PD's and let those guys do whatever they want. They're just robbing people, it's not like they're hurting you.
What are you talking about? Did the city of Urbana transport Mr. Smith to Champaign so he could commit a crime there? If one of the "troublemakers" who lives at University Village comes to Urbana and fires a gun there, is that Champaign's fault?
How much time do you estimate that you have wasted on this "Bozo Urbana" schtick over the past several years, Mr. Fuerst?
question...? is this HIS gun? and if so, how did he aquire it legally without a FOID card? hhmmmm. and how did he aquire the ammo for it without a FOID card? are we going to find out that this gun is stolen? and if so, is he going to get probation for this offense too?!
I see a few things wrong with this. Unfortunatly accidental discharges can happen. How is that against the law. It wasn't either a "reckless discharge of a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a firearm." To be an "aggravated" use doesn't he have to have meant to shoot? Now this guy shouldn't of been carrying one anyone so unlawful possession I can understand. I'm not defending this jerk because by the sound of it his character could use a beating. I'm just questioning the charges.
I'm pro guns and think that concealed carry should be here. I've grown up hunting my entire life. I keep a loaded clip with my pistol next to my bed. Clearly convicts are going to carry whether the law is here or not. Why not let the trained lawful citizens defend themselves with the right to bear arms? Would you rob a store if the clerk could shoot back? All other states except Illinois see that crime goes down. Enough of my rant.
This apartment complex is in Urbana people, down by the corner of Philo road and Florida. It would be Kirby Avenue if it was in Champaign! This complex edges onto the really bad section of Urbana where all of the problems are in town. I used to live in these apartment when they were really nice, many years ago, but you could not pay me enough to live in them now.
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