Ill. Trooper Shot During Traffic Stop with Suspect in Chicago Murder

An Illinois State Police trooper was wounded in the leg when gunfire erupted during a traffic stop in Springfield involving a 37-year-old man wanted in connection with a murder in Chicago.

Source Officer.com News

Joe Vince

Oct. 25, 2023

Illinois State Police

A 37-year-old man wanted for a murder in Chicago is accused of shooting an Illinois State Police trooper during a traffic stop late Tuesday.

The incident happened just before 10:45 p.m. when the trooper had pulled over the suspect—identified as Cristobal Santana—in Springfield, WCIA-TV reports. Shots were fired during the stop, and the trooper was struck in the leg.

Santana fled the scene on foot, and Springfield police officers responded to the shooting. The trooper was treated at the scene before being rushed to the hospital, and the trooper's condition was not released.

Officers from multiple agencies searched the area for Santana. He finally was found shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday.

No details were released about the Chicago homicide that Santana was wanted in connection with, and the Illinois State Police is investigating the shooting.

About the Author

Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.