An Illinois state trooper and father of twins has died from the wounds he sustained during a gunfire exchange, prompted by his attempts to execute a search warrant at a home in east St. Louis.
Trooper Nicholas Hopkins, a 10-year veteran of the force, was shot around 5:30 a.m. Friday morning and succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital later the same evening, said State Police Acting Director Brendan Kelly.
It marked the first death of an Illinois State Police SWAT team member in 20 years.
“It is with profound heartache and unfathomable sadness that we inform you of the death of Trooper Nicholas Hopkins,” Kelly said during a press conference. “Trooper Hopkins laid down his life while protecting citizens of this state.”
After the gunfire broke out, authorities surrounded the residence and arrested three suspects. Police remained on the scene throughout the day, uncertain whether more people remained barricaded inside the home.
It’s not clear if the shooter was taken into custody, and none of those arrested have been identified.
Authorities have not released what troopers were searching for at the home when 33-year-old Hopkins was killed, nor did they provide any further details in the case.
The U.S. District Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Steve Weinhoeft, said the area where the incident occurred is “particularly dangerous.”
“He was trying to make that community safe for every man, woman and child,” Weinhoeft said.
In a statement released after the shooting, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker praised the bravery of law enforcement and state troopers, who “put their lives on the line for us every single day.”
“Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this dangerous, active situation in East St. Louis and every day,” he said.
The Illinois State Police has experienced an high number of officer fatalities so far this year. Troopers Christopher Lambert and Brooke Jones-Story were both fatally struck by vehicles in January and March, respectively. And Trooper Gerald Ellis died in an automobile crash in March.
With News Wire Services