JEFFERSON COUNTY — A 23-year-old man from New Mexico has been identified as the person who died Tuesday morning in an exchange of gunfire with Illinois State Police along Interstate 64 near Mt. Vernon that injured a Trooper.

According to ISP, around 3 a.m. Tuesday, an ISP Trooper stopped to assist a stranded motorist on the eastbound shoulder of the interstate near mile marker 72.  Upon arrival, the Trooper encountered 23-year-old Brandon L. Griffin of Albuquerque, NM and a female passenger in the vehicle.  A second ISP Officer arrived for routine assistance a short time later.  While on the scene, an altercation occurred during which gunfire was exchanged between Griffin and a responding officer.

A 16-year ISP officer suffered serious, although non-life threatening, injuries after being shot during the altercation and is being treated at a regional hospital.  Griffin was pronounced deceased on the scene by Jefferson County Coroner’s Office personnel.  The other involved Trooper and a female passenger were uninjured.  Initially, all lanes of Interstate 64 eastbound were closed but were reopened at approximately 6:25 a.m.  Eastbound lanes were temporarily shut down again at 7:48 a.m. as part of the investigation but reopened at 8:53 a.m.

Special Agents of the Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation are investigating these events.

This investigation is open and ongoing.  ISP is currently processing evidence and conducting interviews.  Upon completion of the investigation, all evidence and facts will be submitted for review to the Jefferson County State’s Attorney’s Office.  No additional information is available at this time.