Aurora Officer-Involved Shooting 'Justified': State's Atty.

AURORA, IL --- The Kane County State's Attorney's Office has ruled that an officer-involved shooting that injured a suspect in Aurora in late October was justified. Authorities deemed that the officer who shot Giovanni A. Padilla, of Aurora, in the arm, believed his own life was in danger and that it was "necessary to use force intended to cause death or great bodily harm to prevent death or great bodily harm to the officer."

According to police, the shooting took place on the evening of Oct. 22 near the intersection of North Farnsworth and East Indian Trail after officers encountered Padilla while responding to a call about an armed robbery. Police say Padilla, who was allegedly already out of breath, fled when officers got out of the police car to confront him.

Officers allege that they then heard Padilla drop something, which appeared to be a firearm, and then kick it under a car. Padilla allegedly then retrieved the gun and began to flee with the gun. Police say Padilla then stopped, got into a "shooting stance," and pointed the gun at the responding officer.

At that point, the officer believed his life was in danger, authorities say, and he fired his gun at Padilla four times, striking him once in the arm. Padilla was then rushed to a local hospital.

Police indicate that Padilla had been armed with a ".380-caliber semiautomatic Jennings with five bullets in the magazine and one in the chamber."

Padilla was later charged with felony counts of armed robbery with a fire arm, armed violence, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful possession of cannabis, and other felony charges in connection with the incident.

Image of Giovanni Padilla via Kane County Sheriff's Office