Mundelein man shot near U of I was to begin nursing job Monday

A Mundelein man shot to death early Sunday when gunfire erupted near the University of Illinois campus in Champaign was an innocent bystander, authorities say.

George Korchev, 22, was one of five people to suffer gunshot wounds in separate, but possibly related, shootings stemming from an altercation at an off-campus party.

Authorities say Korchev was walking in the area when the shooting occurred and not involved in the altercation that proceeded it. Police were searching for suspects, but as of Sunday night no one was in custody.

Korchev was pursuing a career in medicine. Friend Justin Konieczny described him as an “all-around amazing guy” who cared deeply about his family, school and work.

Korchev “was always smiling and laughing and making sure everyone around him was as well,” Konieczny said. “Mundelein will miss George for a long time.”

A man who answered the door at the Korchev family home in Mundelein declined to comment Sunday.

Having recently passed his nursing board exam, Korchev was expected to start a new position Monday as a registered nurse at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, according to a statement from hospital President Dominica Tallarico. He was previously a patient care technician.

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