Standoff At Rantoul Motel Ends In Robbery Suspect’s Death

A standoff with an armed robbery suspect holed up in a Rantoul motel Tuesday morning with the man’s death.

Champaign and Rantoul police say in a joint news release that the suspect was shot by a Champaign police officer, after a morning-long standoff at the Rantoul Days Inn. Acting on tips, a multi-agency team made up of officers from five local police departments had come to the motel at about 3:44 AMTuesday morning to arrest him for the holdup on Sunday of the Rantoul Hardee’s restaurant.

According to the release, police negotiators spent about six hours trying to persuade the suspect to give himself up. Meanwhile, police say the suspect repeatedly threatened to harm himself, others and the police officers. Finally, police used gas to try to force the man out. Officials say the suspect was shot in the course of the “resolution of the incident”. He was pronounced dead at Carle Hospital at 12:43 PM.  Authorities are withholding the man’s name, being withheld pending notification of family.

Rantoul Police Chief Paul Farber called the death “an unfortunate incident that we all hope never faces our community. We strive to preserve the lives of all people and are deeply affected at the loss of any life”.

Illinois State Police are leading a multi-jurisdictional team in an investigation. The Champaign County State's Attorney and the Champaign County Coroner will also assist in the investigation.