Illinois State Police Quickly Apprehends Shooting Suspect After Road Rage Incident on I-57
July 29, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 29, 2026
MARKHAM – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 1 Special Agents arrested 36-year-old Michael M. Watts of Harvey, IL after a road rage incident on I-57 resulted in an expressway shooting.
On July 28, 2026, around 10:56 a.m., ISP responded to the report of an expressway shooting on I-57 southbound at 159th Street in Markham. During a suspected road rage incident, the suspect fired a weapon at a victim, striking their vehicle. No injuries were reported. Troopers quickly identified the suspect vehicle and potential suspect, Michael Watts. Around 12:30 p.m., Troopers located the suspect vehicle near Lincoln Highway and Pulaski in Mattesson, and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled. The vehicle eventually crashed near 147th Street and Cooper Avenue. Watts ran from the crashed vehicle and two Troopers engaged him in a foot pursuit. Troopers quickly took Watts into custody. A firearm was subsequently recovered. Two children were located inside the crashed vehicle and were transported to an area hospital out of precaution.
The same day, ISP presented the case to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and Watts was charged with 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 charge is 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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