State Police have identified a man shot during an altercation with a State Trooper on Interstate 64 at milepost 72 near Woodlawn early Tuesday morning.
He’s 23-year-old Brandon Griffin of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The 16-year veteran trooper also received serious, although non-life-threatening injuries after being shot during the altercation and is being treated at a regional hospital.
State Police say the incident unfolded at around three am when a trooper stopped to assist a motorist on the right shoulder. Griffin and a female passenger were reportedly in the vehicle.
A second ISP Officer arrived for routine assistance a short time later. While on the scene, an altercation occurred during which gunfire was exchanged between Griffin and a responding officer.
Griffin was pronounced deceased on the scene by Jefferson County Coroner’s Office personnel. The other involved Trooper and a female passenger were uninjured.
Initially, all lanes of Interstate 64 eastbound were closed but 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.
In accordance with the Police and Community Relations Improvement Act (50 ILCS 727) and the Illinois State Police Law (20 ILCS 2605), Special Agents of the Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation are investigating these events.
State Police say this investigation is open and ongoing. They are currently processing evidence and conducting interviews. Upon completion of the investigation, all evidence and facts will be submitted for review to the Jefferson County State’s Attorney’s Office.
