CHARLESTON, Ill. — Illinois State Police have released body camera video of a fatal officer-involved shooting where a 22-year-old man took an officer’s firearm and shot himself at a gas station, WAND reports.
The video, released by the Illinois State Police on Jan. 30, includes dash camera video without audio and video from a Charleston Police Department officer’s body-worn camera.
The man, identified as an Eastern Illinois University student, called 911 around 1 a.m. on Jan. 25, requesting help, WAND reports. Officers responded to a gas station on West Lincoln Avenue near E Street, where what the department described as “a rapidly evolving event” unfolded.
Body camera video shows three Charleston officers engaging with the man, who admitted to smoking marijuana. One officer reassured him, saying he could relax and did not need to keep his hands behind his back. Police were trying to gather information for paramedics when the man told them he suspected the marijuana had been laced with PCP, WAND reports.
An officer then asked the man if they could move his car to free up a gas pump. As the conversation continued, the man began visibly shaking. An officer suggested he sit in a vehicle to warm up.
Moments later, as the man’s shaking intensified, officers moved in to stabilize him near a gas pump. Video shows the man suddently move toward the officer and managing to grab the officer’s duty weapon.
“He’s got my gun!” the officer shouted.
The man then fired a single shot, striking himself, Illinois State Police said. He collapsed to the ground as another officer radioed, “Shots fired.”
No officers were injured, but the video shows them visibly shocked. The officer who was disarmed stated he had no idea how the man got hold of the weapon. Officers immediately put on gloves and attempted lifesaving measures before paramedics arrived, WAND reports.
The man was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The released footage cuts off after an officer instructs the disarmed officer to stand by his patrol vehicle.
Illinois State Police said the man’s family was given the opportunity to view the footage before its public release, according to WAND.
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