For the first time since Champaign Police Officer Chris Oberheim was gunned down during a shooting with a domestic violence suspect last week, the public can now see the final moments of his life.
Illinois State Police released footage from body cameras used by Oberheim and Jeff Creel, who responded to a north Champaign apartment complex last Wednesday. You can view the footage on YouTube.
Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz also said on Thursday that Creel was justified in shooting 24-year-old Darion Lafayette to death after he fatally shot Officer Oberheim. Rietz explained in a report released on Thursday afternoon that Lafayette exited his vehicle with a gun after police spoke to him and began a struggle with Creel. He shot Oberheim and then Creel returned fire.
Rietz says that Oberheim was hit by three bullets, with the fatal one being to his head. Lafayette died from wounds to his head and chest. He had two prior felony convictions for meth possession and aggravated battery, and was therefore not permitted to have a handgun.
A funeral service for Oberheim was held on Wednesday in Decatur. He leaves behind his wife and four daughters. Oberheim is the first police officer from Champaign to have been killed in the line of duty since 1967.
