Officer Who Allegedly Shot Fuel Thief Charged With Murder
Prosecutors filed murder charges Thursday against a police officer who allegedly shot to death a mentally disabled motorist after chasing him down on the highway for failing to pay for a tank of gasoline.
State’s Atty. Charles Reynard charged Jeffrey Gabor, 23, with first- and second-degree murder in the July 24 killing of Shannon Lee Smith, 27. He refused to provide further information.
Officials said Gabor surrendered Thursday at the McLean County Sheriff’s Department and was being held on $500,000 bond.
Police say Smith drove away from a Chenoa service station without paying for $15.05 worth of fuel, and officers from three agencies began a chase after he was spotted about an hour later. Officers apparently boxed his vehicle in at a bridge, and more than 20 shots were fired after Smith backed into an unoccupied police car while trying to get away.
Gas station manager Bev King said Smith had failed to pay for fuel at least twice before but eventually returned to pay the money.
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