SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The man accused of shooting an Illinois State Police trooper during a traffic stop in Springfield has pleaded not guilty.
Cristobal Santana, 37, of Chicago is facing six counts, including two counts of attempted murder and multiple battery charges.
In court this week, he waived a preliminary hearing and entered a plea of not guilty. He appeared in a wheelchair and remains jailed.
Springfield police and other departments responded to the 1600 block of Toronto Road at 10:44 p.m. on October 24 to reports of an officer shot.
Trooper Dakotah "Kody" Chapman-Green was shot during the interaction with Santana, ISP said. ISP said Santana fired at least ten shots, and after emptying the gun clip, hit Trooper Chapman-Green in the head with the gun several times, causing facial fractures, a skull fracture, and a brain bleed.
After firing shots at Trooper Chapman-Green and attacking him, Santana fled his vehicle on foot but was taken into custody at 1:58 a.m. on October 25, ISP said.
It was also later discovered Santana was wanted in connection with a homicide occurring recently in Chicago.
Santana is suspected of shooting and killing his ex-girlfriend, a special education teacher on October 22.
Trooper Chapman-Green was just released from the hospital this week.
"You know the saying, 'God is good?' No. He is great," Trooper Chapman-Green's mother said Tuesday during a news conference. She said her son has wanted to be in law enforcement since junior high school.
"He cannot wait to come back to work so he can protect all of you," she added.
ISP released footage of the shooting here. Viewer discretion is advised as the video does depict graphic images of gun violence.
Related Links
- ISP Trooper shot during traffic stop in Springfield in 'serious condition'
- State legislator shares personal connection to wounded ISP Trooper in an emotional speech on the House Floor
- Former Springfield chief praises inter-agency communication in getting assistance to ISP trooper who was shot
The public is reminded that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Brewski's Pub in Springfield is collecting rubber ducks for Trooper Chapman-Green, who owns a Jeep. Leaving ducks on Jeeps is a tradition amongst Jeep owners.
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