Suspect who shot Illinois trooper hit by police vehicle before being apprehended

[November 01, 2023]  By Greg Bishop | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Video released of the shooting that left an Illinois State Police trooper injured shows the suspect being apprehended after being hit by a law enforcement vehicle.

The shooting took place in Springfield last Sunday evening, Oct. 24. Trooper Cody Chapman-Green initiated a pull over. Dashcam video released Tuesday by Illinois State Police shows Chapman-Green approaching the passenger window of a gray sedan along the 1600 block of Toronto Road in Springfield.

Moments after, the driver's door opens and a suspect exits the vehicle as Chapman-Green steps backward. The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Cristobal Santana, fires at least 10 shots. Another angle from a nearby security camera shows Chapman-Green fleeing across a parking lot while being chased by the suspect where more shots are fired.

The suspect then fled the scene in his vehicle. Video shows an injured Chapman-Green limping back to his vehicle. Two good Samaritans helped call for help and provided initial aid before other first responders arrived. Chapman-Green sustained facial fractures, a skull fracture, and a brain bleed.

Illinois State Police say a contingent of other local law enforcement, drones and even an ISP airplane tracked the suspect. Hours after the shooting and residents of the community being urged to shelter in place, Santana being struck by a police vehicle before being apprehended, video state police released Tuesday shows.

ISP Director Brendan Kelly couldn't say Tuesday if Santana at any point was a valid owner of a Firearm Owners ID card. He said such information may be forthcoming.

Moments before shooting suspect Cristobal Santana was struck by a law enforcement vehicles before being apprehended - Illinois State Police

Chapman-Green’s mother Kris thanked the community for their support as her son recovers.

“And Cody is a super trooper, he is making great strides,” she said Tuesday. “Every day he is making improvements and he cannot wait to come back to work so that he can protect all of you.”

Chapman-Green’s father Jimmy thanked first responders and the law enforcement community he said are family.

“Can’t thank everybody enough for all the thoughts and prayers,” he said. “We just want our boy to get better. He loves being a trooper and he’ll never quit being a trooper. He has one speed and that’s go. We can’t slow him down. I’ve tried.”

Maddy Kinsel, Chapman-Green’s fiancé, said he still has a long road ahead of him, but “Cody is doing so incredibly well.”

“There’s no longer conversations about surgeries that are necessary and he’s up and talking throughout the day which we all love … to hear him talk,” Kinsel said.

Santana, who is also wanted for a murder in Chicago, was charged with five counts of allegedly shooting Chapman-Green by Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright.

“A hearing was held and the court made the requisite findings to grant our petition to hold the defendant in custody pending his trial,” Wright said.

Santana’s next court appearance is set for Nov. 9 in Springfield.