Police Shooting of Brandon Griffin

A ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CALL ON INTERSTATE 64 TURNED INTO A DEADLY SHOOTOUT in Mount Vernon, Illinois, in the early hours of May 9, 2023. Illinois State Police later released dashcam footage showing the confrontation involving 23-YEAR-OLD BRANDON GRIFFIN, a stranded motorist, and two state troopers.

A ROUTINE STOP BECOMES A CONFRONTATION

THE TROOPER INITIALLY STOPPED TO HELP A STRANDED DRIVER. According to Illinois State Police and contemporaneous reporting, the encounter began around 3 a.m. on the eastbound shoulder of I-64 near milepost 72. A second trooper arrived shortly afterward as officers spoke with Griffin and a female passenger.

THE ARREST ATTEMPT ESCALATES

THE SITUATION QUICKLY BECAME PHYSICAL. Reports based on the released footage say officers attempted to take Griffin into custody after checking his information. Griffin resisted, and one trooper deployed a Taser during the struggle. The footage then shows Griffin getting back up and reaching toward the vehicle.

GUNFIRE ERUPTS

A TROOPER WAS SHOT DURING THE CONFRONTATION. Authorities said Griffin produced a firearm and fired, striking one of the troopers. The second trooper returned fire, and Griffin was fatally wounded at the scene. The injured trooper suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was later released from the hospital.

WHAT THE VIDEO SHOWS

THE DASHCAM FOOTAGE PROVIDES A CRITICAL LOOK AT THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS. From the initial roadside assistance to the physical struggle and exchange of gunfire, the recording captures how quickly the encounter changed. The circumstances surrounding the shooting were investigated by Illinois State Police.