Why It Matters
The fatal shooting of an unarmed woman by an Illinois State Police trooper during a traffic stop has raised questions about officer training, decision-making under pressure, and the use of force. Governor JB Pritzker’s acknowledgment that he has not reviewed the incident details or video highlights a gap in executive oversight of a high-profile law enforcement death.
What Happened
Rachel Tarrence, a mother of three, was shot and killed by Illinois State Police Trooper Gary Blake Novack on January 4 during a traffic stop in East St. Louis. Tarrence was driving a Chevy Equinox that her mother had reported stolen earlier that day. She had a passenger and her 4-year-old son in the vehicle.
State Police called for a felony traffic stop at 8:08 p.m. near a Rainbow Liquor Mart drive-thru on State Street. Four ISP vehicles surrounded Tarrence’s car. During the stop, Tarrence’s vehicle made contact with an ISP squad car when she shifted into reverse. She then disregarded commands to park the vehicle, revved the engine, and drove forward again.
Novack fired three shots, striking Tarrence twice. She died from her injuries. The St. Clair County state’s attorney declined to file criminal charges against the trooper.
When asked about the incident, Pritzker stated he has not seen video of the shooting. “So, I have to admit that the details of the decision about that, I do not know. So, it’s very hard for me to have a reaction,” the governor said. He added, “I will say that a tragedy occurred here. No one, no police officer, state police, or any other police officer, wants to have to pull a weapon out and be engaged in shooting in any way.”
By the Numbers
40 hours — amount of audio and video reviewed in the internal investigation, including radio traffic, dash camera, body camera, surveillance footage, and witness interviews
Mid-February — when Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation completed its investigation
Three shots — number fired by Trooper Novack
Twice — number of times Tarrence was struck
Four — number of ISP vehicles at the scene
8:08 p.m. — time the felony traffic stop was called on January 4
Zoom Out
Officer-involved shootings during traffic stops have become a subject of national scrutiny and policy debate. Incidents involving unarmed drivers and the force used to stop vehicles have prompted discussions among law enforcement agencies about de-escalation training, threat assessment, and the proportionality of lethal force responses.
The involvement of Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly adds administrative context to the case. Kelly previously served as St. Clair County state’s attorney before being appointed to lead ISP by Pritzker, giving him familiarity with local law enforcement dynamics in the region where the shooting occurred.
What’s Next
The incident remains closed from a criminal investigation standpoint, with the state’s attorney having declined charges. The division’s completed internal investigation and video review set the administrative record, though broader questions about the trooper’s training, the circumstances justifying the felony stop, and the state’s policies on vehicle-based threats remain subject to ongoing scrutiny.