Man Sentenced to 95 Years for Shooting State Trooper

A man convicted of shooting an Illinois State Police trooper during a 2023 traffic stop has been sentenced to 95 years in prison.

Cristobal Santana was found guilty in August 2025 on multiple charges, including attempted first-degree murder, stemming from the October 2023 incident involving Trooper Kody Chapman-Green.

According to Illinois State Police, Chapman-Green had initiated a traffic stop when Santana exited his vehicle and opened fire. Authorities said the trooper was struck and then assaulted further, with Santana hitting him in the head multiple times with a firearm before returning to his vehicle and fleeing the scene.

The trooper suffered severe injuries, including a brain bleed, a fractured skull and wounds to his legs. Officials said Chapman-Green ultimately made a full recovery.

Dash camera footage captured portions of the encounter, documenting the exchange of gunfire during the stop.

A jury ultimately convicted Santana on all counts related to the shooting, leading to the sentencing in which the court imposed a total term of 95 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

In response to the sentencing, Brendan F. Kelly said, “Every day, ISP officers are in harm's way, selflessly facing danger and making personal sacrifices for our safety. When an officer is attacked, it is not just an attack on that officer, it is an attack on the rule of law and the fabric of our society. The efforts of the prosecutors and the court's sentence show the severity of the attack on Trooper Dakotah Chapman-Green and sends a clear message that violence against those who protect our communities will face justice.”