Illinois-Wisconsin traffic stop, chase under investigation after police shoot 2, killing 1

Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star
·2 min read
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Authorities are investigating a pair of police shootings involving officers from South Beloit and Roscoe stemming from a traffic stop that led to a confrontation in Beloit, Wisconsin.

Officials with the Winnebago-Boone County Integrity Task Force and the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation are investigating the weekend shootings.

South Beloit Police Officer Paul Reed opened fire during a chaotic traffic stop at 9:10 a.m. Saturday on Route 251 North of Prairie Hill Road, striking the driver.

According to preliminary information provided by Winnebago County State's Attorney J. Hanley, Reed was attempting to arrest Ray Castro, a front seat passenger who was wanted on two warrants. A struggle ensued when Castro allegedly refused to exit the vehicle and officers attempted to remove him.

The driver, identified as a female juvenile, hit the accelerator in an attempt to flee, according to police.

"A South Beloit Police Officer was knocked down, but was able to escape being run over," the release said. "Officer Reed was inside the vehicle attempting to arrest Castro while the vehicle accelerated. During the struggle, Officer Reed fired his service weapon, striking the female driver in the leg."

The vehicle went through the center median and through the northbound lanes of Illinois 251 before coming to rest in the ditch on the east side of Illinois 251.

Authorities say that Castro exited the vehicle and fled on foot, eventually reaching Macktown Lounge, 1339 Dearborn Avenue in South Beloit.

Police accuse Castro of carjacking a car at knifepoint and fleeing northbound into Beloit, Wisconsin.

A news release issued by the Wisconsin Department of Justice officers from Beloit and Roscoe attempted a "vehicle containment maneuver."

"The subject rammed their vehicle into a Roscoe police officer’s squad car," the release says. "A Roscoe police officer fired their weapon striking the subject."

Authorities say first aid was rendered. Castro was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead. A Roscoe police officer was taken to an Illinois hospital, treated for minor injuries and released. The female juvenile was taken to a hospital and was said to be in stable condition.

South Beloit Police Chief Adam Truman and Roscoe Police Chief Samuel Hawley asked that the Winnebago-Boone County Integrity Task Force be activated to investigate the incident, Hanley said.

The Task Force will review the shooting of the female juvenile, but not the shooting death of Castro. His shooting will be investigated by Wisconsin authorities, Hanley said.

Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on Twitter @jeffkolkey.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Traffic stop in Illinois ends in fatal police shooting in Wisconsin