Authorities from the Mt. Vernon Police Department have reported an alarming incident that occurred during the early hours of Christmas morning. The incident involved a shooting followed by a reckless high-speed police chase on Interstate 57-64, resulting in a dramatic crash.

Maliq Petties, a 20-year-old individual, was eventually apprehended by the police and is currently being held in the Jefferson County Justice Center. Petties faces multiple charges, including Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Aggravated Fleeing/Attempting to Elude, Armed Violence, Resisting Arrest, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and a Franklin County warrant.

The sequence of events unfolded at approximately 12:53 AM on Christmas morning when an officer patrolling the 300 block of South 9th Street witnessed Petties firing a handgun and injuring another individual.

Approaching Petties, the officer issued commands, but the suspect defiantly refused to comply and swiftly fled the scene in a vehicle. A high-speed pursuit ensued through Mt. Vernon, with Petties reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour on Broadway, located on the west side of town. Shockingly, Petties then proceeded to travel in the wrong direction, driving northbound in the southbound lanes of Interstate 57 from Illinois 15.

However, Petties’ reckless actions ultimately led to the loss of control of his vehicle, resulting in a collision just south of the north split. During the collision, Petties’ vehicle collided with a Mt. Vernon squad car, causing moderate damage to both vehicles.

Following the crash, Petties quickly exited his vehicle and attempted to evade capture by fleeing on foot. In the midst of the foot pursuit, Petties reached into his waistband, which prompted one of the pursuing officers to discharge a single shot. Fortunately, no one was injured by the discharged round. The officers managed to apprehend Petties, subsequently taking him into custody and transporting him to the Jefferson County Justice Center, where he is now being held without bond.

Law enforcement officers discovered a firearm at the scene, providing crucial evidence for the ongoing investigation.

As a result of the intense situation, two officers involved in the pursuit and subsequent crash required medical attention. Thankfully, both officers received treatment at a nearby hospital and have since been released.

The victim of the shooting, who remains unidentified at this time, was promptly transported to a local hospital to receive treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. Subsequently, the individual was transferred to a hospital in the St. Louis area for further care.

Due to the discharge of the officer’s firearm and the traffic accident, the Illinois State Police were summoned to conduct a thorough investigation. The involvement of an external agency is a standard procedure for cases involving officer-related shootings, as mandated by Illinois law.