Carbondale Police are conducting an internal investigation to find out how an arrestee was able to smuggle a concealed firearm into the police station and fire it at an officer last weekend.
Police say that after they arrested Eric Brown, 36, of Murphysboro the afternoon of Saturday, May 18, Brown allegedly produced a concealed firearm while in the police department's processing area. Brown reportedly fired at an officer, who fled from the room. No one was injured.
"We are currently in the process of conducting a professional standards internal investigation to determine the answer to the question of how the weapon got into the department," Deputy Police Chief Stan Reno told the Times.
Police responded around 1:38 p.m. that day to Rue 21 at University Mall following a report of a theft and battery.
Police arrested Brown, and the incident at the police department followed shortly afterward. A Carbondale Police crisis negotiator, with the assistance of the Illinois State Police, negotiated with Brown, who eventually relinquished the firearm.
On Monday, Jackson County State's Attorney Mike Carr charged Brown with aggravated discharge of a firearm in the direction of a police officer, possession of contraband in a penal institution, unlawful possession of a stolen firearm, unlawful use of weapons by a felon and reckless discharge of a firearm.
Brown is being held at the Jackson County Jail on $500,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 11. Assistant State's Attorney Rebecca Blomer is handling the prosecution.
