MT. VERNON, Ill. (WAND) - An Illinois State Police trooper was shot and injured, and a suspect was killed in a shootout on Interstate 64 near Mt. Vernon early Tuesday morning.
According to ISP, at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Interstate 64 eastbound at mile post 72, an ISP Trooper stopped to assist a stranded motorist on the right shoulder.
Upon arrival, the Trooper encountered Brandon L. Griffin, 23, of Albuquerque, NM and a female passenger in the vehicle. A second ISP Officer arrived for routine assistance a short time later.
Police said, "During the incident, an altercation occurred, and Griffin displayed a firearm. Gunfire was exchanged between the suspect and Troopers."
A 16-year veteran of the ISP received non-life-threatening injuries as a result of gunfire during the incident and is being treated at a regional hospital.
Griffin was pronounced deceased on scene by Jefferson County Coroner’s Office personnel.
Police report the other involved Trooper and female passenger were uninjured.
Initially all lanes of I-64 eastbound were closed, but they were reopened at approximately 6:25 a.m.
Eastbound lanes were temporarily shut down again at 7:48 a.m. as part of the investigation, but reopened at 8:53 a.m.
ISP Division of Internal Investigation is leading an active and on-going investigation.
No other information is being released.
WAND News will continue to follow this breaking story.
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