Jose C. Pacheco, 35, was shot and killed on January 18, 2021, in Danville, Illinois. Officers responded about 9:16 p.m. to reports of shots fired in the 400 block of Avenue A and found Pacheco with a gunshot wound to his back in a yard outside. He was taken to a local hospital and later died of his injuries.

A Vermilion County Grand Jury indicted Christopher Echols on September 16, 2021, charging him with first-degree murder; Echols was taken into custody in Joplin, Missouri soon after. During trial preparation, new evidence emerged that the prosecution described as credible and material, and the charges against Echols were dismissed in April 2023. The Danville Police Department and the Vermilion County State’s Attorney’s Office continue to investigate.

Anyone with information about Pacheco’s killing is asked to contact authorities.