Alleged accomplice charged in trooper shooting case

A St. Ann, Mo., man has been charged with aiding the man accused of shooting at an Illinois State Police trooper.

Ronald A Boyd, Jr., 64, was charged Wednesday by St. Clair County State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly with aiding a fugitive, a class 4 felony. Boyd is accused of driving the getaway car holding 52-year-old Gregory K. Nelson of East St. Louis, who was wanted for the attempted murder of a police officer.

The charging document says Boyd drove the car to St. Ann “with the intent to prevent the apprehension of Gregory Nelson and assisted Gregory Nelson in fleeing the state of Illinois.” Boyd also hid Nelson in his St. Ann apartment.

Nelson allegedly opened fire on the trooper at close range during the traffic stop on June 23 on the ramp from State Street to Northbound Interstate 255. Nelson gave the trooper his driver’s license and sat in his car while the trooper ran his information through his computer. Then he surprised the trooper by pulling a gun from his waistband and firing multiple shots and the trooper. The ISP trooper retreated, drew his service weapon and shot back. But Nelson ran off, police said. A massive man hunt was started to locate Nelson.

The trooper’s identity has not been released.

Nelson was charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.

Boyd is being held on $40,000 bond.

This story was originally published July 9, 2015 at 9:42 AM with the headline "Alleged accomplice charged in trooper shooting case."