Pot times July 17, 2005

Officer Shot During Raid

URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1124/a11.html
Newshawk: Beth

Pubdate: Wed, 13 Jul 2005
Source: Peoria Journal Star (IL)
Copyright: 2005sPeoria Journal Star
Contact: forum@pjstar.com
Website: http://pjstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/338
Author: Leslie Williams

OFFICER SHOT DURING RAID

Illinois State Police Officer Sustains Nonlife-Threatening Injuries To Chest

PEORIA - An Illinois State Police officer working with an undercover drug task force was accidentally shot while raiding a South Peoria home Friday afternoon.

Members of the Multi-County Narcotics Enforcement Group entered 1912 W.  Ann St.  about 3:30 p.m.  to serve a warrant when the shooting occurred.

"During entry there was an accidental discharge of a firearm," Illinois State Police Master Sgt.  Jeff Smith said.  "A state police officer was shot."

The officer, whose identity was not released, was reportedly shot in the chest and suffered nonlife-threatening injuries.  He had been wearing a bullet-proof vest.

Smith would not say if the gun was fired by a resident in the house, by another MEG officer or if it was self-inflicted.  However, the department's Division of Internal investigations is handling the investigation, he said.

A person inside the house was arrested as part of the warrant, Smith said.  That person's name was not available.

No further information was being released from state police Friday night because of the ongoing investigation.

As Peoria police helped secure the scene, neighbors flocked to their porches and yards to get a glimpse of what happened.  No one reported hearing or seeing anything unusual at the time of the shooting.

Squad cars blocked the entrance to Ann from the 800 block of South Western Avenue where motorists slowed down, trying to peek at the commotion.

Rumors floated among the crowd of 50 onlookers that had gathered in front of the house.  Behind the house, several people stood in their backyards and sat atop vehicles watching across an alley as police talked to two men.

One was sitting in a chair with his hands secured in handcuffs.  When he was taken away, another male was escorted outside and ordered to sit on the ground, his back leaning against the house.

MEG is a drug task force made up of police officers from several area departments who do a majority of their work undercover.

No personnel from the Peoria Police Department were involved in the raid, but three officers did assist outside the home by securing the perimeter.