Silvio Conrado

Deadly force

Silvio Conrado reportedly went to Kirk Slack's rural Sutherland home at around midnight after his car broke down on I-80. Slack said Conrado drew a handgun, forced his way inside, demanded the car keys and took him hostage. When Slack's car ran out of gas, Conrado stole a Ford Explorer at a convenience store in Paxton. Conrado got back on I-80, where he was chased by several police vehicles. Conrado hit a set of stop spikes, but drove a few more miles on flat tires before stopping near Big Springs. A 4.5 hour standoff ensued. Conrado and Slack got out of the SUV, with Conrado holding the gun to Slack's head. Shortly after 6 a.m., a State Patrol sharpshooter shot and killed Conrado. Slack was physically uninjured.