The 26-year-old Carbondale police officer who was shot in his car while pursuing a suspect Sunday night has been identified by the city’s department as Trey Harris.

Harris, who has been with Carbondale police for three years and three months, has been released from the hospital, according to a Carbondale police news release.

“Officer Harris will require further medical treatment moving forward, but we feel blessed to know he is able to further his recovery at home,” the department said.

Advertisement

The department also said in its news release that there have been “no official or authorized fundraising accounts or efforts established, online or otherwise.”

Carbondale police are asking those wishing to donate to do it at the Carbondale Public Safety Building, with checks payable to “CPD Injured Officers Fund.”

Funds can also be mailed to 501 South Washington Street in Carbondale, the department said.

Harris was shot about 11:40 p.m. Sunday after Carbondale officers were on patrol in the 700 block of North Robert A. Stalls Street and heard gunshots, Carbondale police said.

Officers drove toward the source of gunfire to find a tan, four-door vehicle speeding away from the area.

A pursuit began when Carbondale police tried to stop the fleeing vehicle, which “ultimately traveled north on North Marion Street and then east into the 2400 block of Dillinger Road,” Carbondale Police Chief Jeff Grubbs said during a press conference Monday.

During the chase a suspect fired several gunshots, striking through the officer’s windshield and hitting him.

Advertisement*

Harris was initially taken to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale for a gunshot wound, but was transported to a St. Louis area hospital for additional care.

Grubbs said his department is pursuing two suspects, who should be considered armed and dangerous, in the shooting that occurred less than two miles from campus.

As of Monday, he said the suspects can only be described as two black males at this time.

The vehicle the suspects drove — a Pontiac Grand Prix — was found abandoned and “destroyed by fire” on Dewmaine Road in Williamson County, Grubbs said.

During the nearly 20-minute long news conference Monday, Grubbs thanked Harris for his bravery, saying that his department has received “overwhelming support” since the shooting.

Illinois State Police are investigating the incident, with help from the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and SIU police.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to call Carbondale police at (618) 457-3200, the Carbondale/SIU Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (618) 549-COPS (2677) or the Murphysboro/Jackson County anonymous tip line at (618) 687-COPS (2677).

Grubbs said his department is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of those involved in shooting the young officer.

Luke Nozicka is the Daily Egyptian’s incoming editor-in-chief. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @lukenozicka. 

 Find the Daily Egyptian on Facebook and Twitter.

Advertisement