Illinois State Police Arrests Chicago Man for Attempted Murder After Road Rage Expressway Shooting
July 30, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 30, 2026
CHICAGO – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 Special Agents arrested 49-year-old Simon Vaca-Garfias of Chicago, IL after a road rage incident escalated into an expressway shooting on I-94.
On July 1, 2026, ISP received a report of an expressway shooting that occurred on June 30, 2026, around 11:45 p.m. The victim was driving northbound on I-94 near 55th Street in Chicago when they became involved in an alleged roadway encounter with the suspect and the suspect fired a weapon, striking the victim’s vehicle. No injuries were reported. After an extensive investigation, ISP Special Agents identified Vaca-Garfias as the suspect.
On July 29, 2026, Special Agents located and arrested Vaca-Garfias. ISP presented the case to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and Vaca-Garfias was charged with Attempted Murder (Class X Felony) and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (Class 1 Felony). He remains in custody pending his first court appearance. No further information is available.
ISP reminds the public that when it comes to aggressive driving, don’t lose your temper or your life. Road Rage. Don’t Engage. If you are the victim of road rage or believe a driver is following or harassing you, call 911 and/or go to the nearest police department to report it. For more information about how to avoid road rage or ISP’s “Road Rage. Don’t Engage.” campaign, visit the ISP website at: https://isp.illinois.gov/TrafficSafety/RoadRage.
The charges are not evidence against the defendant, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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