Illinois Manhunt In Progress For Police Shooter


Champaign County in Central Illinois is conducting a manhunt for 35-year-old Darcy “Clint” Pendleton, who NBC News reports shot an officer in Mahomet. Clint Pendleton is a white male with blue eyes and blonde hair. He is 5’10” and 155 pounds.

On Saturday evening before 11:00 p.m., an officer stopped Pendleton for a minor traffic violation but subsequently released him with a warning. A few minutes later, Pendleton was pulled over again by another Mahomit officer. This time, he fought with the officer who was attempting to retain him.

Fox News claims the officer tried to use a stun gun to stop Pendlton, but the incident resulted in both exchanging fire. The officer was shot in the arm. After the shootout between the two, Pendleton fled the scene in a stolen pickup truck. Authorities suspect Pendleton was also injured and possibly shot during the altercation and may seek medical care.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Darcy Pendleton is advised to call the police or the Illinois State Police tip line immediately. He may be armed, but conflicting reports have developed on the number and type of guns he may be carrying. Some state a handgun while others claim Pendleton may also be in possession of an AK-47. The allegedly stolen vehicle is a white GMC pickup with Illinois registration number 165533B and the number “30070” is painted on the doors.

The county has issued a warrant for his arrest for Attempted Murder of a Police Officer. Bail is set at $5 million.

Illinois State Trooper Kills Woman

Illinois’ manhunt is not the only incident happening in its central area. In a report made by the local news outlet WTHITV, an Illinois State Trooper officer was responding to a call in Decatur, Illinois at the same time. Although the media source states the officer’s lights were flashing and siren was on, a young woman made a turn and entered the officer’s path. Both vehicles collided. The mother of two died in the crash; the officer suffered injuries. At this time, neither of the victims’ names have been released.

Notorious Manhunts in Illinois

Illinois has been home to several manhunts in the past. Just last year, a fatal cop shooting in the Fox Lake area sparked an investigation and manhunt for the suspected killers. In early September, Lt. Joe Gliniewicz called in his foot pursuit of three suspicious looking people. According to People, dispatch lost contact with the lieutenant, but officers heard a gunshot just before his body was discovered in a marsh area.

[Photo by Getty Images | Lake County Sheriffs Office]
[Photo by Getty Images | Lake County Sheriffs Office]
While the State claims the shooting followed an altercation with the suspects, reports were later released that showed the officer had been shot with his own gun. During a press conference, George Filenko, commander of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, said Gliniewicz’s body had two shots. One shot was in the flank area, in front of his protective vest near his waist. People states the impact of the shot was extreme and likened to a sledgehammer, the force was enough to incapacitate him. The other, which was determined to be the fatal blow, entered the upper left area of his chest. Gunpowder was found on the officer’s fingers, but his gun was missing from the scene.

One month later, investigators ruled Gliniewicz murder a carefully planned suicide. The officer, who was encouraged to stay after scheduled to retire a month before his death, was quietly being investigated for foul play. He chose to kill himself rather than face charges after discovery of his financial crimes.

Don’t forget to share any information you may have to assist officers in apprehending any suspects involved in the Illinois manhunt. Call your local authorities at 911.

[Photo by Macomb County Police Department]

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