January 10th 2026 Officer Involved shooting
The Springfield Police Department is committed to making sure that officer involved shootings are fully investigated and a process is followed to ensure a thorough, independent and all-inclusive fact-finding investigation is completed, ultimately leading to a comprehensive review of the incident. The officer involved shooting that occurred on January 10, 2026 was the subject of months of investigative work, review and analysis by multiple agencies. Officer-involved shootings are lengthy investigations that often include multiple agencies cooperating together, evidence recovery and processing, forensic analysis, witness interviews, suspect interviews, officer interviews, judicial review and internal investigations. The timing of all facets and stages of the investigation is critical to not impede or taint the investigative process and the rights of all involved in the incident. While the process may take longer than desired, it is necessary to hold the investigation in the highest regard to ensure the investigation is proper, thorough, and complete.
On January 8, 2026, Barion Sanders was shot and killed in Springfield. Investigators determined Sanders was affiliated with the street gang known as SQAD, a gang with a long and violent history of conflict with the rival Boss Playas (BP) gang. Based on intelligence gathered during this and previous homicide investigations, investigators were concerned that retaliatory violence was imminent and that additional shootings could occur within our community.
The Criminal Investigations Division investigates these two rival gangs to remove firearms from the city streets, open criminal cases and prevent shootings and homicides. Prior to January 10, detectives obtained a music video featuring an individual, identified as Dominick Hobbs. In the video, Hobbs and other gang members were observed rapping while holding firearms. This music video contained messages of shooting rival gang members. These music videos posted through social media sources are often used to threaten or disrespect rival gangs, talk about past shootings, disrespect deceased rival gang members and incite violence between the gangs.
On January 10, 2026, while actively following leads related to the homicide, Springfield Police Department investigators learned that a blue Honda bearing stolen license plates was traveling throughout Springfield. Investigators were familiar with this vehicle due to its suspected involvement in multiple prior shots-fired incidents connected to SQAD gang members.
Given the recent homicide and the ongoing gang conflict, officers initiated efforts to locate and monitor the vehicle. The vehicle was subsequently located near Twin Lakes Drive and Piper Road by U.S. Marshals Task Force Officer Cortes and Sergeant Raynolds both of the SPD Criminal Investigations Division.
The vehicle abruptly attempted to evade officers and was ultimately stopped by SPD personnel. All four occupants immediately fled on foot. The occupants were dressed in all black clothing and wearing masks. Several occupants were armed with firearms as they fled.
During the foot pursuit, one of the fleeing suspects, later identified as Hobbs, had a handgun in his right hand. At this point, Sergeant Raynolds, according to his report, observed Hobbs had his arm bent at a 90 degree angle and the firearm was pointing straight forward. This put Officer Cortes, who was attempting to stop a different suspect who had also fled, in a dangerous and potentially deadly position. Sergeant Raynolds believed that Officer Cortes faced an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm. He responded by discharging his firearm, striking Hobbs once in the lower back.
Once the immediate threat ended, officers safely apprehended the remaining three suspects. Multiple firearms were recovered and weapons offense charges were subsequently filed by the Sangamon County States Attorney’s Office. The defendants are awaiting trial.
After the shooting, Sergeant Raynolds immediately began issuing commands to Hobbs and took him into custody with the assistance of responding officers without further incident. A Glock 22 .40 caliber firearm, loaded with an extended, high-capacity magazine, numerous live rounds and a “switch”, making this firearm fully automatic, was found in the immediate vicinity of Hobbs and subsequently secured. Officers then transitioned to providing emergency medical care. Hobbs was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
The danger presented during this encounter cannot be overstated. Officers were confronting individuals connected to an active gang conflict, following a recent homicide. The suspects were operating a vehicle linked to prior violent incidents, were dressed to conceal their identities, and were armed. Investigators ultimately recovered four firearms from the suspects, including two with “switches” making them fully automatic firearms capable of firing rounds at an extremely high rate which could inflict mass casualties. The presence of these weapons, combined with the circumstances surrounding the investigation, underscores the significant threat these individuals posed to the community and responding officers. The actions taken this day likely prevented further acts of violence and helped safeguard the residents of Springfield.
The subsequent investigation that followed provided further evidence supporting officer’s beliefs that those in the Honda were actively seeking rival gang members for possible retaliation from the January 8th homicide.
In accordance with department policy, the Illinois State Police conducted an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Sergeant Raynolds was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of that investigation.
Following a thorough review, the Illinois State Police submitted the case to the Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office. State's Attorney John Milhiser subsequently concluded that Sergeant Raynolds was legally justified in his use of deadly force and the discharge of his firearm.
Separately, the Springfield Police Department conducted an administrative review to determine compliance with departmental policies. During that review, investigators identified a body-worn camera policy violations.
Officer Cortes and Sergeant Raynolds were found in violation of the department body worn camera policy. At the time of this incident, their body worn cameras were placed in “sleep” mode to test the operational status of their tasers – in accordance with department policy. Both Officer Cortes and Sergeant Raynolds failed to place their body worn cameras back into “standby” mode following the Taser test, which ultimately prevented the body worn cameras from activating and recording earlier during the incident. Both Sergeant Raynolds and Officer Cortes activated their cameras immediately upon recognizing this error.
This incident unfolded under rapidly evolving, exigent circumstances and within a compressed timeframe, requiring officers to make critical decisions under significant stress. While department policy strongly prefers the activation of body-worn cameras prior to contact with community members, both Illinois law and department policy recognize that exigent circumstances may prevent immediate activation and require officers to activate their cameras as soon as practical under the circumstances.
The Springfield Police Department takes all uses of force, particularly deadly force incidents, with the utmost seriousness. Every such incident is subjected to comprehensive review to ensure accountability, transparency, and adherence to both state law and departmental policy.
After considering all facts and circumstances, the department determined the policy violation stemmed from the camera not being returned to standby mode following the Taser test. Accordingly, Sergeant Raynolds has been disciplined with 2 days suspension and has completed additional training regarding proper body-worn camera operation and compliance. Officer Cortes was disciplined with 1 day suspension and has completed additional training as well.
All Springfield Police Department officers are expected to comply with department policy, and SPD takes appropriate corrective action when violations are revealed.
Following this incident, the Springfield Police Department implemented procedural changes designed to ensure personnel verify that body-worn cameras are in standby mode whenever responding to active law enforcement events.
The men and women of the Springfield Police Department continue to place themselves in harm's way to protect our community from violent offenders. We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and the relentless pursuit of those who engage in gang violence and threaten the safety of Springfield residents.
The Springfield Police Department would like to thank the Illinois State Police and the Sangamon County States Attorney’s Office for their thorough and independent investigation and review of this incident.