Centreville man charged with murdering woman, shooting at police

A Centreville man was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm at a peace officer and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

Timothy Stokes is accused of shooting Michelle Williams on Sunday before firing a 9 mm pistol at Illinois State Police troopers on Interstate 255 in St. Clair County, according to St. Clair County State’s Attorney James A. Gomric.

Troopers arrested Stokes after a several-hour manhunt that shut down Interstate 255 north of I-64 Sunday. About 7 a.m., police blocked all lanes of the highway at mile marker 21, near Caseyville, as well as the I-64 westbound ramp to I-255 northbound.

Police were responding to reports of a man walking in the median on I-255. Police said he fired several shots at officers before running into the woods. A state trooper returned fire, but no one was hurt during the exchange.

Stokes was arrested at 10:50 a.m. off of Forest Boulevard, a half-mile north of the interstate.

Stokes fit the description of the suspect in an early-morning homicide in East St. Louis, Illinois State Police Trooper Josh Korando said.

St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye identified Williams, 24, whose last known address was in East St. Louis. Dye said Williams was shot and killed in the middle of the street in front of the Mobil gas station at 83rd and State streets. She was pronounced dead at 5:47 a.m.

Stokes was convicted of armed robbery in 1993 and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon in 1996.

His bond has been set at $1 million and is being held at St. Clair County Jail.

This story was originally published July 2, 2019 at 3:16 PM.