On a rainy Friday, October 9, 2009, 15-year-old Kiwane Albert Carrington walked with a friend to the back of a relative’s home in Champaign after realizing he didn’t have a key. A neighbor reported a suspected break-in on West Vine Street, and Police Chief R.T. Finney responded first; Officer Daniel Norbits arrived moments later with his sidearm drawn. In the muddy backyard a struggle occurred and Norbits’ pistol discharged once. The bullet passed through Kiwane’s left elbow into his chest; he was pronounced dead a short time later at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

State investigators and the Champaign County State’s Attorney concluded the shooting was accidental and declined criminal charges; a coroner’s jury reached the same finding. Internally, Norbits was suspended one month for mishandling his weapon, a penalty he contested. The teen who was with Kiwane, Jeshaun Manning-Carter, was arrested that day on aggravated resisting a peace officer charges; those charges were dismissed April 13, 2010 after he met conditions including counseling and staying in school. The city later settled a wrongful-death claim with Kiwane’s family for $470,000 without admitting liability, and separate litigation over who fired the shot was dismissed.

Kiwane’s death has remained a focal point in Champaign debates over police oversight and use of force, marked by vigils and protests on anniversaries.