DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Illinois State Police District 15 Commander Captain Robert Meeder announced today that bond has been set for a tow truck driver accused of fatally shooting the driver of a semitrailer truck following an apparent road rage altercation late last week. Anthony Tillmon, 34 (d.o.b. 8/28/1982) of Lansing, appeared in Bond Court this morning where Judge Joseph Bugos set bond at $3 million with 10% to apply. Tillmon has been charged with one count of First Degree Murder. If convicted, he faces a possible sentence of up to natural life in prison.
It is alleged that on April 21, 2017, at approximately 4:50 p.m., the victim, Eduardo Munoz, 43, of Florida, was traveling eastbound on I-88 in Oak Brook. It is alleged that while driving, Munoz and Tillmon were involved in some type of “road rage” incident and appeared to be yelling at each other. It is further alleged that shortly thereafter, near the I-294 Interchange, Tillmon pulled his vehicle alongside the driver’s side of Munoz’s semitrailer, pointed a handgun at Munoz and pulled the trigger, hitting Munoz three times as he was driving. It is further alleged that following the shooting, Tillmon exited the highway and sped away. An investigation into the shooting conducted by the Illinois State Police and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office led authorities to Tillmon. On April 25, 2017, Tillmon turned himself in to authorities at the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office. After being shot, Munoz was able to pull his semitrailer to the right shoulder of the road. He was found in the driver’s seat of the semitrailer and transported to Elmhurst Hospital where he was pronounced dead, the victim of multiple gunshot wounds.
“The allegations that Mr. Tillmon opened fire at another vehicle while driving on a crowded expressway are outrageous,” Berlin said. “These alleged actions put the lives of countless motorists at risk. It’s terrifying to think of how many innocent people may have been injured or killed had Mr. Munoz not been able to get his truck to the shoulder of the road after he had been shot three times. Thankfully, he was able to keep control of his vehicle and in doing so may have saved the lives of other innocent motorists. I offer my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Eduardo Munoz as they grieve the loss of Eduardo. I would like to thank the Illinois State Police, the U.S. Marshall’s Office, the Oak Brook Police and Fire Departments as well as Assistant State’s Attorney Jim French for their fine work on this case.”
“The loss of life through violence is never acceptable,” said Meeder. “Our message is simple, offenders who commit gun violence on Illinois expressways will be identified and held accountable. I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication from the men and women of the Illinois State Police and their collaboration with the agencies involved in solving this tragic case.”
Tillmon’ s’ next court appearance is scheduled for May 22, 2017 in front of Judge John Kinsella.
Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
