8/28/2021- 11:20 p.m.
UPDATE TO William Cooper, the suspect charged with shooting at the police in Spaulding, Illinois.
William L. Cooper, age 44, was arraigned yesterday and faces 2 counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm at a police officer, a class X felony, and a count of aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, after police say Cooper drove through a metal gate directly at several responding officers.
Law enforcement noted that at least 10 shell casings were located at the scene.
Yesterday, in court, Cooper’s attorney made a request to reduce his 1 million dollar bond. That request was denied. In addition, the court granted the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office request to require the following conditions if Cooper does post $100,000 (10 percent of his 1 million dollar bail):
- GPS electronic monitoring
- Home confinement
- Psychiatric evaluation and compliance with all recommended treatment
- Surrender all firearms and FOID Concealed Carry License
Cooper could face 10-45 years at 85 percent, if convicted.
Cooper was arrested on Friday, August 20, 2021 after Sangamon County Central Dispatch received a call at 9:47 p.m., on Thursday, August 19, 2021 that a male at 43 Devine Dr., in Spaulding was in distress. The caller indicated that William L. Cooper, age 44, of that address, had possibly overdosed. The caller was not at that residence. Riverton PD and Spaulding PD were the first units on scene. They reported shots being fired. Nobody was hit.
Cooper then got into a vehicle and fled the address.
The vehicle was located at Mary Lane and Francis Dr., in Spaulding. It was unoccupied. Deputies also responded to the scene and set up a perimeter. Route 54 was shut down by Illinois State Police.
Deputies attempted to speak to Cooper by phone, but they were hung up on. At some point, Cooper posted on Facebook.
Cooper was taken into custody at 12:57 a.m. at a residence at 5400 Block of River View Rd, in Spaulding.
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell also noted that there was no indication that Cooper was under the influence of anything.
