A police officer shot a suspect who was allegedly charging him with a knife near the intersection of Davis Street and Benson Avenue at about 9:45 a.m. on Oct. 30, said Commander Tom Guenther, public information officer of the Evanston Police Department, in a prepared statement.
The police officer responded to a call of a reported battery at the Davis Street train station. After arriving on the scene, the officer was given a description of the alleged offender and began to canvass the area. The officer located a person matching the description and made attempts to interview him. The suspect was uncooperative and ignored the officer’s verbal commands and began to walk away, said Cmdr. Guenther. After being told to stop, the suspect turned toward the police officer and pulled out a knife, said Cmdr. Guenther. The officer then drew his service weapon and ordered the suspect to drop the knife, he said. The suspect charged toward the officer; and, to stop the attack and in defense of his life, the officer fired one round at the offender, striking him in the shoulder, Cmdr. Guenther said. The suspect was transported to an area hospital.
The Evanston police requested that the Illinois State Police Public Integrity unit respond and conduct an investigation into this incident. Local police departments call in the task force when there is an officer-involved shooting and an objective investigation is needed.
This investigation remains open and pending.