Trial Set to Commence for Former Waukegan Police Officer in 2020 Shooting Case

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.

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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.

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