State police release name of suspect killed in shootout with Alton officer
The suspect who was fatally shot Thursday during a shootout with Alton police has been identified, Illinois State Police said Friday.
Vernon Randle Jr., 27, of Alton died in the shooting, state police said.
Alton Police Officer First Class Allen Averbeck, who was injured in the shooting, was released from a hospital Thursday but Odin, a police dog serving with the officer, died from injuries suffered in the shooting, city officials said.
Illinois State Police said in a news release Thursday that it is investigating the “use of force portion” of the shooting.
The news release doesn’t describe what happened prior to the shootout.
Alton police officers “engaged in gunfire with a suspect” in the 700 block of East Sixth Street early Thursday, according to the news release.
“This is an ongoing investigation. No further information is available,” Illinois State Police said Friday.
Alton requested assistance from state police at about 6:05 a.m. Thursday.
