Vernon Randle Jr. Obituary, Death – Fatal Shooting in Alton Leaves One Dead, Officer Injured, and Police K9 Killed
A tragic incident occurred in Alton, Illinois, on Thursday morning, resulting in the loss of life, an injured police officer, and a deceased police K9.
The Illinois State Police have identified the man killed in the confrontation as 27-year-old Vernon Randle Jr., a resident of Alton.
The incident began around 5:30 a.m. at the intersection of E. Sixth and Liberty streets, where police officers engaged in a shootout with Randle.
Officer Allen Averbeck was shot during the exchange but was protected by his body armor and later released from the hospital.
Tragically, Officer Averbeck’s K9 partner, Odin, was also shot and killed in the line of duty.
The confrontation started earlier that morning when police spotted Randle near the intersection of Ninth and Henry streets around 5 a.m.
Randle was a suspect in a shooting that had occurred the previous night, which left a woman injured.
The officers initiated a foot chase, which ultimately led to the exchange of gunfire, resulting in Randle’s fatal shooting.
Randle had been on probation for misdemeanor battery in Champaign County, Illinois, before moving to East Alton in 2022.
The incident has shaken the local community, particularly with the loss of K9 Odin, who was remembered for his dedicated service, and the police department and community are mourning the loss while recognizing the bravery of the officers involved.
