A Kentucky man was shot to death Tuesday following a high-speed pursuit and gun battle with police in Benton.

Joshua Moreno, 38, of Bowling Green, Ky., was killed by return gunfire after allegedly shooting at law enforcement officers from multiple agencies near Illinois Route 37, said Lt. Michael Alvey of the Illinois State Police.

The chase began at 3:06 p.m. after a call came into Franklin County sheriff’s office. A residential burglary suspect failed to yield to police officers, Alvey said. The suspect police have identified as Moreno allegedly evaded pursuit by ramming a deputy’s squad and shooting at officers multiple times during the chase. 

Advertisement

No law enforcement members or civilians were physically harmed during the incident, Alvey said. 

Moreno’s vehicle was eventually disabled on U.S. Interstate 57, Alvey said, but he hijacked a different vehicle and the pursuit continued.

The pursuit ended after Moreno’s stolen vehicle stopped near a skating rink on Route 37, and he was shot by police. 

Police issued a statement Tuesday night, but declined to answer questions. 

Bill Lukitsch can be reached at [email protected] or 618-536-3329.