Madison County, IL – A police officer was fatally shot while responding to a suspected stolen vehicle call at a gas station in Pontoon Beach on Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred at about 8 a.m. on Oct. 26 at the Speedway gas station on Route 111 near Interstate 270, the Associated Press reported.
Illinois State Police (ISP) said that as Pontoon Beach Police Officer Tyler Timmins began to approach the suspect vehicle, someone inside the car opened fire on him, KSDK reported.
Police rushed Officer Timmons to Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City in a patrol vehicle, and from there the wounded officer was airlifted to Saint Louis University Hospital.
Officer Timmons was pronounced dead at the hospital, KSDK reported.
Police said the suspect in the officer’s murder had been taken into custody, the Associated Press reported.
Heavy Police presence at the Speedway on Chain of Rocks Road in Pontoon Beach. We’re working to learn what happened. Officer are blocking off more if the area as minutes pass. Multiple agencies on scene. @KMOV pic.twitter.com/gIAjO2tp7F
— Damon Arnold (@DamonArnoldKMOV) October 26, 2021
A long line of police cars is forming outside SLU Hospital to escort the body of Pontoon Beach Police Officer Tyler Timmons. According to @ILStatePolice Timmons died after being shot outside a Pontoon Beach gas station where he was checking on a suspicious vehicle. @KMOV pic.twitter.com/rZP6lUOUMq
— Russell Kinsaul (@russellkinsaul) October 26, 2021
An ambulance just left @SLUHospital carrying the body of Pontoon Beach Police Officer Tyler Timmons to the medical examiner’s office. He was killed in the line of duty today. Many police vehicles from the region joined the procession. @KMOV pic.twitter.com/SqK4QgbGHj
— Russell Kinsaul (@russellkinsaul) October 26, 2021
ISP says Pontoon Beach police officer was transported with life threatening injuries.
They say the officer was approaching a suspected stolen vehicle when a man started firing at the officer.
The suspect was taken into custody.
🙏🏼 for police officer @ksdknews
— Allie Corey (@AllieCoreyKSDK) October 26, 2021
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Holly Matkin
