Group offers $5,000 for tips in 2014 Springfield slaying

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - A greater reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest in the 2014 shooting death of a 17-year-old in Springfield.

Crime Stoppers of Sangamon and Menard Counties has chosen DeAndre Atkinson's case to launch a new program offering $5,000 in specific cold cases. The not-for-profit organization usually offers rewards of $1,000.

Atkinson died after he was shot in the parking lot of a Springfield apartment complex on Sept. 24, 2014.

Springfield Police Det. Ryan Irwin tells The (Springfield) State Journal-Register (http://bit.ly/1XCItfB) people who were nearby may have feared coming forward initially. Irwin says they may be ready to provide tips now.

Information can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 217-788-8427. Instructions on sending tips by text message are available at the website CashForTips.us.

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Online:

http://www.cashfortips.us/

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com