On the morning of Friday, January 16, 2026, a shooting in a residential Urbana neighborhood resulted in the death of a 52-year-old man. The incident occurred in the 1200 block of Ellis Drive, a quiet street located between West Florida Avenue and West Oregon Street.
Urbana Police Department officers responded to a call for service at that location in the early morning hours. Upon arrival, they discovered 52-year-old Benancio Crowley of Champaign suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency medical services were called to the scene, and Crowley was quickly transported to the nearby Carle Foundation Hospital.
Despite the rapid medical response, the injuries sustained by Benancio Crowley were too severe. The Champaign County Coroner’s Office confirmed he was pronounced dead at Carle Foundation Hospital at 2:56 a.m. that same morning.
Following the shooting, the Urbana Police Department launched an immediate investigation. Detectives worked through the day, gathering evidence and developing leads. Their investigation led them to a residence in the neighboring city of Champaign, specifically in the 1900 block of Blackthorn Drive.
Just after 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16, officers took 19-year-old Charles Lake into custody at the Blackthorn Drive address. The arrest was made without incident. Charles Lake was booked into the Champaign County Jail, where he remains held pending the filing of formal charges.
The Urbana Police Department has stated that the investigation into the homicide of Benancio Crowley remains active and ongoing. While a suspect is in custody, detectives are continuing their work to establish the precise circumstances and motive behind the shooting that occurred on Ellis Drive.
