Sheriff's Deputy, 24, Shot Repeatedly, Seriously Injured During Chase: Police

PEORIA, IL — A 24-year-old sheriff’s deputy in central Illinois was seriously injured when he was shot repeatedly during a foot pursuit over the weekend, according to police.

The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office identified the injured deputy on Monday as Jack Evans, who joined the agency in 2023.

“Deputy Evans has served with professionalism, dedication, and a strong commitment to public safety since the day he took his oath. He has already earned numerous awards in his time here at PCSO,” the sheriff’s office said in a social media post.

“Deputy Evans remains under medical care but is in good spirits and has a long road to recovery. Deputy Evans sustained gunshot wounds to both of his legs and his torso.”

Charged in the shooting is 51-year-old Larry D. Bell, who faces counts of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, armed violence, methamphetamine possession and possession of a gun by a repeat felony offender, according to Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos.

The incident that led to the shooting occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday in the 1000 block of South Western Avenue in South Peoria, authorities said. Evans conducted a traffic stop and when he returned to the vehicle after running the occupants’ information, Bell, who was a passenger, got out and fled on foot, according to a news release from Hoos’ office.

Evans chased Bell and Bell fired multiple shots, hitting Evans twice, Peoria police said. Evans underwent surgery for his injuries, which lasted most of the night, according to the sheriff’s office.

Officers found Bell two hours after the shooting, hiding in an abandoned building in the 1800 block of West Garden Street, police said, adding that Bell suffered seizures while officers tried to take him into custody and he was brought to a hospital.

Bell had 25 grams of methamphetamine and there was a handgun at the building, according to Hoos’ office, which noted the state has filed a petition to detain Bell and a judge will hear it on Wednesday.