The city of Champaign is cloaked in sorrow, its streets heavy with the weight of loss after the senseless killing of RL Glenn Selvie, a 35-year-old Urbana man, on the night of August 24, 2025. In the 2500 block of West Springfield Avenue, a place now etched in the community’s memory, Selvie’s life was cut short by a hail of gunfire, leaving behind a grieving family, shaken neighbors, and a city wrestling with the persistent specter of gun violence.

It was just after 3:04 a.m. when Champaign police received frantic calls reporting shots ringing out in the quiet darkness. Officers raced to the scene, their sirens piercing the early morning calm, only to find Selvie lying in a parking lot, his body riddled with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite the desperate efforts of first responders to save him, Selvie was pronounced dead at Carle Foundation Hospital at 3:33 a.m., his life extinguished in a moment of brutal violence. The Champaign County Coroner, Laurie Brauer, later confirmed his identity, cementing the tragedy that would ripple through the community.

Investigators moved with urgency, their work fueled by a determination to deliver justice. The initial investigation painted a grim picture: Selvie had been in the parking lot when two men approached, unleashing a barrage of bullets before fleeing into the night. The suspects’ vehicle was soon located in the 2000 block of Moreland Boulevard, a critical clue that led to the swift arrest of Tyson Moore, 32, of Champaign, and Deandre Newbill, 37, of Urbana. Both men now face charges of first-degree murder, a small step toward accountability in a case that has left a community reeling.

But RL Glenn Selvie was far more than a name in a police report or a headline in the news. To those who knew him, he was a vibrant soul—a son, a brother, a friend whose infectious energy could light up a room. Friends recall his quick smile, his warmth, and the way he connected with those around him, always ready to share a laugh or a moment of camaraderie. “He was the kind of person who made you feel seen,” one neighbor shared, their voice thick with emotion. “This wasn’t supposed to happen to him.” Selvie’s life, though tragically brief, was one that left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to know him.

As word of his death spread, social media became a canvas for grief and remembrance. Tributes poured in, each post a testament to the love and respect Selvie inspired. “Gone too soon, but never forgotten,” one friend wrote. “This city lost a good one.” Others expressed frustration and exhaustion, their words echoing a collective weariness in a community that has seen too many lives claimed by violence. For many, Selvie’s death is not just a personal tragedy but a stark reminder of the challenges Champaign faces in its ongoing battle against gun violence.

The arrests of Moore and Newbill, while significant, do little to mend the wounds left behind. Community leaders and advocates are seizing this moment to call for change, urging unity and renewed efforts to address the root causes of violence. “We can’t keep losing people like this,” said one local activist at a recent vigil. “We need prevention, we need programs for our youth, we need to come together as a community to say enough is enough.” The sentiment is shared by many, as Champaign grapples with how to honor Selvie’s memory while working to prevent future tragedies.

Selvie’s death comes against the backdrop of a city no stranger to gun violence. In recent months, Champaign has seen a string of shootings, each one a wound to the community’s spirit. From a July 4 incident on West Bradley Avenue that claimed another life to a March shooting that left a young man in critical condition, the toll of gunfire has been relentless. Yet, in the face of such loss, there is a growing resolve among residents to reclaim their city, to build a future where families can live without fear and where names like RL Glenn Selvie are remembered for their lives, not their deaths.

As Champaign prepares to lay Selvie to rest, the city stands united in its grief. Candlelight vigils and memorials are being planned, spaces where friends, family, and strangers alike can come together to celebrate a man whose life touched so many. These gatherings are more than a farewell—they are a call to action, a reminder that Selvie’s memory can be a catalyst for change. In the quiet moments of reflection, there is hope that his legacy will inspire Champaign to rise above its pain, to forge a path toward peace and healing.

With heavy hearts, the city bids farewell to RL Glenn Selvie, a man whose light shone brightly, even in the face of darkness. Though his life was taken too soon, his spirit endures in the love of those he left behind and in the community’s unwavering commitment to a safer, stronger future.