Published October 7th, 2021
A Grundy County, Illinois deputy is recovering after being shot three times Thursday afternoon, twice in his ballistic-resistant vest. At approximately 5 pm, the deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation. After initially stopping, the operator of the vehicle took off, leading the deputy on a pursuit, during which the fleeing vehicle was involved in two crashes before coming to a stop near a railway crossing in the town of Mazon, IL. The vehicle operator then fled on foot. During the foot pursuit, the fleeing individual turned and fired several shots at the deputy, striking him three times: once in the forearm, once in the chest and once in the back. The last two shots were stopped by the deputy’s ballistic-resistant vest. The injured deputy was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated and released. According to Grundy County Sheriff Ken Briley, the officer was “in good shape” and that “we’re very, very lucky that the ballistic vest stopped those two bullets.”
The man suspected of shooting the deputy was located by police in a nearby apartment complex, where he barricaded himself, resulting in a brief standoff with police. The standoff ended when the man came out of his home and surrendered to police. He is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and aggravated battery.
