Governor Pritzker Unaware of Details in Fatal ISP Shooting

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Governor Pritzker Unaware of Details in Fatal ISP Shooting

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On January 4, 2026, Rachel Tarrence, a 40-year-old mother of three, was fatally shot by an Illinois State Police trooper during a traffic stop in East St. Louis. Tarrence was driving a Chevrolet Equinox that her mother had reported stolen earlier that day. The incident occurred at approximately 10:08 p.m. at a liquor store drive-thru where four ISP squad cars surrounded her vehicle.

According to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s review, Tarrence put the car in reverse, hitting an ISP squad car, and then drove forward. Trooper Gary Blake Novack fired three shots through the windshield, striking Tarrence twice in the chest. An adult male passenger and Tarrence’s 4-year-old son, who was in a car seat, were in the vehicle but were not injured. Tarrence was transported to a St. Louis hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

The Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation completed its review in mid-February and submitted its findings to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office. On July 20, 2026, State’s Attorney James Gomric announced that no criminal charges would be filed against Trooper Novack, concluding that the investigation found no basis for prosecution. The ISP released body and dash camera footage of the incident on January 23, 2026. Governor JB Pritzker, when asked about the shooting on July 22, 2026, stated he had not seen the video and did not know the details of the decision, though he referred to Tarrence as a “victim.” The family of Rachel Tarrence has retained an attorney and

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