Elijha James Booker was 14 when he died from an apparent gunshot wound on May 11, 2019, in Champaign, Illinois. Officers responded about 1:30 a.m. to a private residence in the 1600 block of Hedge Road; Elijha was found with life-threatening injuries and died at a local hospital shortly after.

Police say Elijha was visiting the house when a 15-year-old male inadvertently discharged a firearm inside the residence. A 17-year-old male present suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated and released the same day. The Champaign County State’s Attorney filed a juvenile petition charging the 15-year-old with involuntary manslaughter and unlawful use of a weapon; a juvenile court warrant has been issued because he has not cooperated and his whereabouts are unknown.

The investigation remains open. If anyone has information about what happened or the location of the 15-year-old, please share what is known.