Jason Kasiar, Republican candidate for the 118th district of the state House, called on the people of Illinois to pray for the community after the recent shooting of a Carbondale police officer.
“(The recent shooting) is a sad reminder of how even in rural southern Illinois, we are not immune from the problems facing our great nation,” he said. “The same sadness and shock the people of Dallas are dealing with is the same reality we are facing here in southern Illinois.”
Kasiar said that the state will continue to discuss the shooting in the coming months, and it will be necessary to help the community come to terms with the recent violence.
“But before we begin this dialogue, the most important thing we can do right now is pray,” he said. “The power of prayer is something many of us have seen firsthand in our own lives. If ever there was a time to pray for our nation and pray for our community, it is now.”
Officer Trey Harris, along with other Carbondale Police Department officers, responded to reports of gunshots fired at 11:38 p.m. July 31, according to a police report. While driving toward the source of the gunshots, the officers saw a tan, four-door vehicle quickly driving away.
When the officers attempted to stop the vehicle, a pursuit started. During the pursuit, at least one suspect fired several gunshots at officers, striking Harris and his police vehicle.
The report said that police officers did not return fire during the pursuit.
Harris, a three-year employee of the department, was taken to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, and then transferred to a St. Louis Area Hospital where he is currently in stable condition.
The police report also said that the vehicle involved in the pursuit, a tan Pontiac Grand Prix, was abandoned and destroyed by fire. At this time, the suspects can only be described as at least two black males who should be considered armed and dangerous.
"We will release information the moment we are able to provide an investigative update, but at this time, there is no information we are able to release,” a city statement detailed. “The city of Carbondale is offering a $10,000 reward for information which leads to the identity, arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) in this incident.”
The police department is investigating the incident with the help of the Illinois State Police, and numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
“Manhunts like this often require extra resources and Carbondale Police are teaming with other agencies in their search for the suspects,” a recent Carbondale police announcement said.
Kasiar encouraged concerned people to donate to the CPD Injured Officers Fund.
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