Suspect sought in shooting of police officer near Champaign

CHAMPAIGN — Police in a central Illinois village searched on Sunday for a man suspected of shooting an officer in the arm, an incident that sparked a fatal collision when a trooper pursuing the suspect struck and killed a woman who was driving her van about 45 miles away.

The (Champaign) News-Gazette reported Mahomet Officer Jeremy Scharlow, 35, was shot in the arm Saturday night outside a home. Mahomet Police Chief Mike Metzler said that Scharlow was recovering after being released from a hospital on Sunday morning.

Metzler told the newspaper that the officer, a nine-year veteran of his department, was shot after a traffic stop initiated by another police officer. The suspect then got into a fight with the second officer, who reportedly attempted to use a stun gun on the driver.

On Sunday, a Champaign County judge issued an arrest warrant for Dracy “Clint” Pendleton, 34, of Bellflower, accusing him of aggravated battery with a firearm. Illinois State Police said later Sunday that Pendleton, who also was believed to be wounded, has additionally been charged with attempted murder of a police officer.

Master Sgt. Matthew Boerwinkle told the newspaper that a trooper responding to a call about the Mahomet officer’s shooting struck a van at a Decatur intersection, killing a 26-year-old woman. The trooper had activated his flashing lights and siren.

Authorities hadn’t yet released the names of the 53-year-old trooper or the crash victim by Sunday afternoon. Both were taken to a local hospital, where the woman was pronounced dead.

Authorities said Pendleton fled the area in a stolen pickup truck and is armed with an AK-47 assault rifle.

An extended family member said that Pendleton had recently moved out of his marital home after separating from his wife.

Jack Dollahon said that Pendleton, his grandson’s half brother, works as a contractor and is a father of two sons, both under 2.