Trial to begin Monday for former Waukegan Police Officer Dante Salinas in 2020 shooting of Marcellis Stinnette, 2019 incident

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WLS) — A trial is set to begin Monday for a former Waukegan police officer who is charged with second degree murder.

In October 2020, investigators reported that Dante Salinas fatally shot 19-year-old Marcellis Stinnette and wounded his girlfriend, Tafarra Williams, during an attempt to stop their vehicle.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

According to Waukegan police, the 2020 event began as a routine traffic investigation of a suspicious vehicle but quickly turned into a police pursuit and subsequent shooting, which was captured on a police dashcam video.

Prosecutors said Salinas fired seven shots, killing Stinnette and injuring Williams.

Salinas is also charged with aggravated battery for a separate incident in 2019, while arresting a man at a family baptism.

Ex-Waukegan Police Officer Dante Salinas faces charges in the fatal 2020 shooting and a 2019 incident.
Families of Marcellis Stinnette and Tafara Williams file lawsuits over deadly Waukegan police shooting.
Authorities release video of Waukegan police shooting incident that resulted in a teen’s death and a woman’s injury; families review footage with lawyers.
The woman wounded by Waukegan police speaks out, with the family attorney urging for a criminal investigation.
Community demands further action after Waukegan officer’s dismissal over the shooting that killed a teen and injured a woman.
Waukegan police shooting: Family members of the couple shot by an officer organize a protest march, with the wounded woman speaking publicly for the first time.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like

Romanian Gymnast Ana Maria Barbosu Faces Doping Violation and Receives Temporary Suspension

A Romanian gymnast, who stirred controversy two years ago by edging out…

Gavin Newsom Faces Scrutiny Over $20 Million Diaper Contract Involving Nonprofit Network Connected to His Wife

California Governor Gavin Newsom is under fire for allegedly funneling $20 million…

Transgender Athlete Triumphs at California Girls’ Track Meet

During a California girls’ track meet, a transgender athlete made headlines by…

Surviving the Unthinkable: A Woman’s Harrowing 7-Year Journey Through Chinese Imprisonment

In an emotional encounter, Wang Chunyan held a photograph up to the…

Alabama Mom Faces Life Sentence After Chilling Plot to Eliminate Child’s Father in Custody Battle

Mother of murder victim Stephanie Minter calls out lenient policies amid DOJ…

Experts Urge Trump Administration to Ensure Iran Agreement Blocks Plutonium Pathway to Nuclear Weapons

Experts in nuclear weapons are sounding an urgent call for the Trump…

South African Authorities Airlift Giant Crocodile in Search for Missing Local: A Gripping Investigation

In a daring weekend mission, South African authorities executed an aerial operation…

California Faces Gas Price Surge Amid Shrinking Imported Oil Supplies

California may soon find itself competing fiercely with other states for oil…

Pentagon’s New UFO Website Attracts 340 Million Visits in Just Half a Day

A newly launched website showcasing a vast collection of previously classified UFO…

US Military Targets Drug Vessel in Eastern Pacific, Neutralizing Three Alleged Narco-Terrorists

The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced on Tuesday that a U.S. military…

Vigil Held in Chicago’s Garfield Park to Honor 18-Year-Old Basketball Player Damarion Johnson, Fatally Shot During Uber Ride

CHICAGO — Friends and family came together on Saturday to honor the…

Trump’s Bold Promise: Seize Iran’s Nuclear Material for Global Security

On Sunday, President Trump announced his intention to seize Iran’s remaining nuclear…