Illinois State Trooper wounded, suspect dead in altercation near Mt. Vernon

An Illinois State Trooper was wounded and a suspect killed in an altercation along I-64 near Mt. Vernon Tuesday morning. 

Troopers were called around 3 a.m. to assist a motorist along eastbound I-64 around the 72-mile marker in the Mt. Vernon area. ISP said that an altercation took place and the man, identified as 23-year-old Brandon L. Griffin of Albuquerque, New Mexico, allegedly showed a gun. There was reportedly an exchange of gunfire with troopers and one was wounded while Griffin was killed. A second trooper and a passenger in Griffin's vehicle were not injured.

The trooper, a 16-year veteran of the ISP, received serious, non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a regional hospital for treatment. The ISP Division of Internal Investigation is in charge of the continuing investigation. 

Lanes of I-64 were closed for several hours following the incident.