Illinois State Trooper dies after suffering self-inflicted gunshot wound on Dan Ryan Expressway

f you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to civilians and veterans. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (tel:18002738255). Or text HOME to 741-741 (Crisis Text Line)
CLICK HERE for the warning signs and risk factors of suicide. Call 1-800-273-TALK for free and confidential emotional support.

Illinois State Police trooper dies of gunshot wound on Dan Ryan

Trooper Gerald Mason was 36-years-old and a 11-year veteran of the Illinois State Police.

CHICAGO — An Illinois State Trooper has died after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound Friday afternoon on Interstate 94.

At about 1:42 p.m. Friday, ISP Trooper Gerald Mason was found in his squad car on I-94 northbound in the local lanes at 43rd Street with a single gunshot wound, police said.

ISP Trooper death investigation update

Illinois State Police provided an update on the death of an Illinois State Trooper.

Chicago police officers transported Trooper Mason to the hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries.

At 2:16 p.m., police said Trooper Mason succumbed to his injuries.

Massive delays on Dan Ryan after ISP trooper shot

An Illinois State Trooper suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound Friday afternoon on Interstate 94, sources tell FOX 32.

"It is with profound heartache and unfathomable sadness that we inform you of the death of Trooper Gerald Mason. Trooper Mason was one of the many fearless Troopers assigned to ISP District Chicago. We are asking the public to respectfully give consideration to the family of Trooper Mason and the whole ISP family while we continue to grieve and work through this tragedy," stated Director Brendan Kelly.

Trooper Mason was 36-years-old and a 11-year veteran of the Illinois State Police. He leaves behind his mother and three siblings.

"I was on the northwest side of the city when I got the call from the University of Chicago telling me to get down there for Gerald," said mother Linda Mason. "I begged them to tell me he wasn’t the state trooper who got shot on 43rd Street. They said they couldn’t do that."

"It was horrible and the worst day of my life," she said.

DOWNLOAD THE FOX 32 NEWS APP FOR BREAKING NEWS ALERTS

ISP said there is no known threat to the public or to law enforcement.

Lightfoot issues statement after Illinois State Trooper suffers fatal gunshot wound

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot spoke Friday afternoon following the shooting of an Illinois State Trooper on the Dan Ryan Expressway.

On Thursday, state police said they were increasing evening and overnight patrols in Chicago after an unprecedented rise in shootings on area expressways. More than 185 shootings have been reported on Chicago expressways so far this year, over double last year.

The stepped-up patrols were to begin Friday night.