Reward offered in Carbondale officer shooting

A minimum $10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the identity, arrest and conviction of suspects in an officer-involved shooting that took place in Carbondale.

Surrounded by city and law enforcement officials, Carbondale police Chief Jeff Grubbs offered the support of the CPD and more to the family of an officer severely wounded in the line of duty on Sunday evening.

Police detailed the events leading to the shooting in a press release sent on Monday. At 11:38 p.m., Sunday, two officers on patrol in the 700 block of North Robert A. Stalls Street responded to reports of gunshots fired in the area. The neighborhood was described as having "pockets" of criminal activity, but on the "smallest percentage" and not representative of the northeast area, or of Carbondale.

While driving toward the alleged source of the gunshots, officers saw a tan four-door Pontiac Grand Prix driving from the area at a high rate of speed. The officers gave chase, ultimately traveling north on North Marion Street, and east onto the 2400 block of Dillinger Road.

During the pursuit, at least one suspect in the Grand Prix fired several gunshots at officers, striking the police car in multiple spots including the windshield, and wounding one officer, which ended the pursuit. The report also stated that the CPD officers did not return fire during the chase.

The wounded officer, a 26-year-old male whose name is being withheld while the investigation continues, was taken to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, and later moved to the St. Louis area hospital for additional treatment. As of Monday afternoon, the officer, who has been with the department since 2013, was reported to be in serious, but stable condition.

The Pontiac Grand Prix was located by authorities on Dewmaine Road in Williamson County. It had been abandoned and "destroyed by fire."

At the time of the press conference on Monday, Grubbs said, the suspects could only be described as two men. Grubbs did state that authorities have not ruled out the possibility of more people being inside the vehicle at the time of the incident.

Authorities are working "diligently" to provide more information, or possibly the identities of the suspects.

As is standard procedure, the investigation into the events of Sunday night is being led by the Illinois State Police. Since Sunday night, Grubbs said, numerous other agencies at the local, state and federal level have joined in the investigation.

Support from the public has been "overwhelming thus far," Grubbs said. "Certainly, we've received a lot of messages … who are wanting us to know that they are thinking about us, the officer, and his family."

Due to the large number of donations of food or support being offered to the CPD and the family of the officer, Grubbs asked to public to call the CPD to attempt to coordinate efforts in order to not overwhelm the department and make sure that all donations are used appropriately.

Grubbs also asked that people come forward if they have knowledge about the Sunday night shooting, or the events preceding or following it.

"We want those individuals to come forward," Grubbs said. The suspects are considered to be armed and dangerous; Grubbs advised the public or those who may know the suspects to report any information to authorities, not to engage the suspects.

Sunday's incident comes at a time in the country when tensions are high between the public and law enforcement. Grubbs called for constructive dialogue on the local and national level in an attempt to ease tensions.

"What we cannot do as a people is not come together," Grubbs said.

"Certainly to embrace lawlessness is going to get none of us into a position where we are effectively able to move forward," he said.

Those with information about the incident are asked to contact the Carbondale Police Department at (618) 457-3200, the Carbondale/SIU Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (618) 549-2677, the Murphysboro/Jackson County anonymous tip line at (618) 687-2677, or the Illinois State Police District 13 headquarters at (618) 542-2171 ext. 1202.