Editor’s note: The content of this article includes a description of a suicide attempt. If you are in immediate need of help, call or text 988 (Veterans, press 1) or visit 988lifeline.org/chat. The help line is available 24/7, toll-free.
(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Elgin Police Department has released audio and video from a police shooting that took place in January, in which an officer shot a man who was reported to have been suicidal.
Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley warned the video is not for everyone. It’s graphic and may be disturbing, she said.
It starts with the 911 call. The caller said his friend stabbed himself.
“He’s freaking out,” the man tells the 911 dispatcher.
Video from an officer’s body camera shows the 29-year-old man. He’s shirtless, wearing jeans, heavily tattooed, and there’s blood all over his body and on the floor.
Due to the graphic elements in this video — including blood, language and descriptions of a suicide attempt — WBBM is not including the video in this story. The full release from Elgin police can be found here.
The man can be heard on the video repeatedly telling the officer: “I want to be dead.”
As the officer repeatedly tries to get the man to sit down, he can be seen struggling with the officer.
After the struggle, the 29-year-old is shown picking up a knife and coming toward the officer, who fires two shots. The man falls to the ground, and the officer can be seen putting pressure on the wound and performing chest compressions until paramedics arrive.
Elgin police said the man survived.
The incident remains under investigation by the state police Public Integrity Task Force. Elgin police said the officer is currently under paid administrative leave, in line with department policy.
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