VIDEO: Police said three first responders in Champaign were stabbed late Thursday night, sending all three to the hospital. Now, people are stepping up to help them and their families.
Organizations across Central Illinois say they want to make sure the victims can recover physically, mentally and emotionally. WCIA talked to Michael Jenkins, co-founder of The Anchor Point — and Marrisa Siero, a board member with the Champaign Firefighter’s Benevolent Fund. Both groups work with first responders, providing mental health support — and the benevolent fund gives financial help as well. “They deal with stuff that is somebody else’s worst day, and they do that multiple times in a single shift,” Jenkins said.
Champaign Police say Thursday night a call came in from 23-year-old Trevor Lewis who was experiencing mental health concerns. They say firefighters Courtney Moravek and Robert “Bobby” Poynton got to the area off of Neil Street and Buena Vista Drive first. “Made contact with the with the individual who was cooperative, was calm,” said Deputy Chief Greg Manzana. Then an Arrow Ambulance paramedic came to give further care, and it turned violent. Lewis pulled out a knife, stabbing the three people there.
