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An Illinois police officer died Wednesday after being shot by a domestic disturbance suspect who was killed in an exchange of gunfire that left a second officer wounded, a police chief said.
Champaign police Officer Chris Oberheim "passed away due to injuries sustained while on-duty," Police Chief Anthony Cobb said in a statement.
"His only intention was to serve, protect and help provide care before he was senselessly fired upon and killed," he said.
Oberheim, 44, was struck by gunfire just before 3:30 a.m. when he and another officer arrived at the scene on the city's north side and were met by an armed person after exiting their police cars, authorities said.
Champaign, Ill., Police Officer Chris Oberheim, 44, was killed Wednesday by a gunman while responding to a domestic disturbance call. (Champaign Police Department)
Gunfire was exchanged and both officers were taken to a local hospital with gunshot wounds. The surviving officer remains hospitalized. The suspect, identified by Champaign News-Gazette as Darion Marquise Lafayette, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fox News has reached out to the Champaign County Coroner but has not heard back.
Oberheim, a 13-year department veteran, began his law enforcement career with the Decatur Police Department. Cobb said he will be remembered for "his heroism, bravery, and the oath of office he honorably upheld in his commitment to duty."
Lafayette had previous arrests for domestic violence involving three females and drug posession, according to the newspaper.
The shooting came days after Cobb said he feared a shooting involving police could happen as the city deals with escalating gun violence.
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There have been about 85 reports of shots fired, and many injuries, in Champaign so far this year, the newspaper reported. Oberheim is the third Champaign police officer to be killed in the line of duty.
Champaign police said Illinois State Police will lead the investigation into the shooting, with assistance from Urbana police, the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office and the University of Illinois Police Department.
The Champaign Police Department’s officers were equipped with body cameras in 2017, and those cameras are activated when an officer responds to service calls or is engaged in any law enforcement-related encounter, according to information posted on the department’s website.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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