Decatur, IL — An overnight police pursuit across 65 city blocks ended in the arrest of an 18-year-old Decatur man early Sunday morning, after officers reported he fled from a shooting scene and was later found armed with a handgun equipped with an extended magazine.
Teen Arrested After Extended Pursuit
According to a sworn affidavit submitted by the Decatur Police Department, the suspect — identified as 18-year-old Christopher J. Ingram — was taken into custody near 1700 E. Prairie Ave. in Macon County. Police say the incident began around 1:40 a.m. when officers responded to reports of a vehicle being shot near Oakland and Grand Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers spotted a vehicle matching the shooter’s description and noted that it was “actively avoiding” police. Due to what officers described as erratic driving, they briefly lost visual contact before locating the vehicle again near N. Illinois Street and E. Eldorado Street.
Pursuit Spans Dozens of City Blocks
When officers attempted a traffic stop, the driver accelerated, sparking a chase that stretched an estimated 65 blocks through Decatur. Police said the high-speed pursuit wound through multiple neighborhoods as the suspect continued refusing to stop despite repeated commands.
The chase ultimately came to a halt when the driver bailed out of the vehicle on N. 17th Street. Officers reported seeing a firearm in the suspect’s hand, describing it as a handgun fitted with an extended magazine — a configuration often tied to increased ammunition capacity.
Foot Chase Leads to Arrest Near Prairie and 18th
After fleeing the vehicle on foot, Ingram ran through residential blocks before officers caught up with him near the intersection of E. Prairie Street and N. 18th Street. Police recovered the handgun and took Ingram into custody without further incident.
Authorities stated that Ingram has no previous felony convictions and no prior gun-related offenses, according to department records.
Multiple Felony Charges Filed
According to the reports, Ingram is now facing a number of serious charges, including:
- Armed Violence
- Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number
- Aggravated Unlawful Possession of a Weapon Without a FOID Card
- Two Counts of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding Police
These charges place him at risk of significant prison time under Illinois state law, particularly because the firearm reportedly had its serial number defaced, an offense considered a felony due to the difficulty it poses to tracing weapons used in crimes.
Court Appearance and Future Proceedings
The 18-year-old appeared in court on Monday, where a judge denied pre-trial release, citing the seriousness of the accusations and the public safety risks associated with armed flight from law enforcement.
Ingram is scheduled to return to court on December 10 for a preliminary hearing, during which a judge will determine whether enough evidence exists for the case to proceed to trial.
Community Impact and Ongoing Investigation
While no injuries were reported in connection with the shooting or the extended pursuit, the early-morning incident raised concerns for residents who were awoken or disrupted by sirens and rapid police movement across multiple city blocks.
The Decatur Police Department continues to investigate the original shooting incident that prompted the response and has not yet released additional details about potential victims or motives.
Authorities are urging anyone with information linked to the shooting or the chase to contact investigators as the case moves forward.
Should long-distance police chases be handled differently to reduce community risk, or were officers right to pursue? Share your thoughts in the comments — your voice matters in local reporting!
