Bodycam Shows Man Fatally Shot By Cops Reach For Ax: Des Plaines PD

DES PLAINES, IL — A 55-year-old Des Plaines man, who may have been having a "psychotic breakdown" and was armed with an ax, died Wednesday night following an officer-involved shooting. Scott J. MacDonald, of the 1400 block of Thacker Street, was taken to an area hospital following the incident, where he was later pronounced dead, according to Des Plaines police.

The officer involved in the shooting, who has been with the department for just over two years, has been placed on paid administrative leave per department policy.

Police confirmed Thursday afternoon through viewing bodycam footage that MacDonald was armed with an ax when the shooting occurred. According to police, he was approaching officers threateningly and was in proximity.

At around 7:37 p.m., police were dispatched to MacDonald's Thacker Street apartment to assist paramedics from the fire department. Police were advised en route to the scene that MacDonald was breaking things, possibly having a psychotic breakdown, and potentially had access to an ax or machete.

When officers arrived, police said the situation "escalated" when they unexpectedly encountered MacDonald in the common hallway of the building and an officer-involved shooting occurred. MacDonald was pronounced dead at 9:39 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner.

The Des Plaines Police Department said it is following state protocols and department policy while the ongoing investigation is conducted by the Major Case Assistance Team.