Illinois State Police trooper injured in I-294 incident released from hospital

HARVEY, Ill. (WLS) -- An Illinois State Trooper has been released from the hospital after he was injured in an incident Monday evening near the Halsted Street toll plaza along Interstate 294 near south suburban Harvey, Illinois State Police said.

State police said the trooper saw a suspicious person near the plaza and confronted them, at which time the suspect pointed a gun at the officer, Illinois State Police said. There was a struggle and several shots were fired, but police said the trooper was not shot.

The trooper suffered an injury to his neck from the struggle but not from gunfire, police said. He was taken to a local hospital with a non-life threatening injury, and underwent treatment, state police said. A hospital spokesperson said the trooper is in stable condition.

Tuesday morning, police said the suspect is not in custody. The suspect is described as a black male wearing a construction-type vest and black jeans. Police do not know if he is still armed.

Police said person of interest was questioned Monday and released. Police from multiple suburbs, including Oak Brook, Orland Hills and Hazelcrest are assisting with the search.

A firearm was recovered at the scene, state police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 630-241-6800, Ext. 5028.