The Sentinel

Urbana Police Department focused on two homicide investigations

URBANA - Three individuals lost their lives over the weekend in Urbana in separate incidents, both being investigated as homicides.

On Friday, 18-year-old Sherman McCraney Jr. was shot multiple times by unknown assailants on the 2000 block of Vawter, near Silver in east Urbana. Officers provided first aid and life-saving procedures while waiting for medical transport. The victim was taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.

On Saturday around 8 p.m., Urbana Police responded to a scene near Lanore Drive and Washington Street, where they discovered 7-year-old Darnell “DJ” Hicks and 43-year-old Melvin Braxton deceased from gunshot wounds.

The UPD issued a statement on Facebook:

"The Urbana Police Department is currently investigating two homicides that occurred over the weekend. The first incident took place on Friday evening, involving an 18-year-old victim who was tragically shot and killed. The second incident occurred on Saturday evening, resulting in the deaths of a 7-year-old and a 43-year-old.

At this time, we are actively investigating both incidents and do not believe they are connected. Specifically, the incident on Saturday involving the 7-year-old and 43-year-old appears to be the result of a domestic violence situation. The suspect involved in this incident was known to the occupants of the residence, and therefore, we do not believe it was a random act.

We are grieving alongside those affected by these tragedies and extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones impacted. We urge anyone with information on either incident to come forward. Your cooperation is vital to our efforts to ensure justice and safety in our community."

Urbana News

The UPD is asking anyone with information on either incident to please come forward. Passing along any information that someone may have will make Champaign-Urbana safe.

"Your cooperation is vital to our efforts to ensure justice and safety in our community," the police department said in a release on Feb. 9. "Urbana Police ask that anyone who has additional information please call 217-384-2320. Arrangements can be made for information to be shared privately. "

The Criminal Investigations Division is asking residents or businesses in the nearby area with exterior surveillance camera systems for video footage which may help bring the criminals to justice quickly.

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may also submit tips to Crime Stoppers by phone at 217-373-TIPS (217-373-8477); online at 373tips.com; or the “P3 Tips” mobile app.

Crime Stoppers is completely anonymous. Calls are routed a to third-party national call center that receives your information, completes a tip information form, and then passes the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Caller ID tracking is not utilized by Crime Stoppers, and conversations are not recorded.

Crime Stoppers will pay cash rewards of $5,000 for tips that lead to an arrest in any homicide case, $2,500 for tips leading to an arrest in a felony crime involving a firearm, and up to $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for any other crime.

A delectable dessert for sweetie on Valentine's Day

Photo provided

Family Features - If you're going above and beyond a stuffed animal and boxed chocolates this Valentine's Day, try these Cheesecake Cookie Cups for a special homemade dessert. Made with love, it's a perfect combination of sweet and creamy. Visit Culinary.net for more sweet treats to share with loved ones.

Cheesecake Cookie Cups

Recipe courtesy of "Cookin' Savvy"

Yield: 12 cups What you will need:

2 packages (16 ounces each) chocolate chip cookie dough

Whipping Cream:
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons sugar

Filling:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup whipping cream
crumbled cookies, for topping (optional)
sprinkles, for topping (optional)

Heat oven to 350 F.

In muffin tin, press three pieces of cookie dough into each muffin hole. Bake 15 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes then use shot glass and press into each hole. Let cool another 5 minutes and place on rack to cool completely.

With hand mixer, mix heavy cream and sugar until it thickens then add cream cheese and powdered sugar; cream together. Spoon into cool cookie cups.

If desired, use piping bag and pipe pretty edge around cup. Top with crumbled cookies or sprinkles, if desired.

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