Illinois State Police Finds Suspect Within Minutes After I-57 Shooting, Attempted Murder Charges Filed

Photo: Illinois State Police

For Release

PESOTUM – Illinois State Police (ISP) Divisions of Patrol and Criminal Investigation announce the arrest of 40-year-old LeJoshua C. Smith of East St. Louis, IL for Attempted Murder and multiple other criminal charges, stemming from a road rage shooting on Interstate 57 in Champaign County.

LeJoshua C. Smith (M/40). Photo submitted by Illinois State Police

On September 12, 2024, ISP Troop 7 received the report of shots fired in the area of Interstate 57 northbound near milepost 223. A minor crash between two vehicles occurred, resulting in a road rage situation where the suspect, later identified as Smith, reportedly fired a weapon at the victim’s vehicle, causing damage to the vehicle, but the victim was not injured. ISP officers located Smith’s vehicle within minutes and attempted a traffic stop, but Smith fled. Officers engaged him in a pursuit, continuing northbound on I-57 through Ford County, and into Iroquois County. ISP Troop 5 officers deployed stop sticks and Smith’s vehicle eventually came to a stop on I-57 near milepost 285, in Gilman, IL. Smith was taken into custody.

On September 13, 2024, Smith was charged in Champaign County for Attempted Murder (Class X Felony), Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (Class 1 Felony), and multiple traffic violations. Additional charges in Iroquois County related to this incident are pending consideration. No further information is available.

The charges are not evidence against the defendant, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.