Des Plaines Police Release Recordings Of Fatal Touhy Avenue Shooting

DES PLAINES, IL — Des Plaines police released audio and video recordings Wednesday related to the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old man on Touhy Avenue, identifying the sergeant involved and providing additional details about the encounter.

Sgt. Matthew Muchow, a 22-year veteran of the department, shot Ayham Babidi Sept. 9 after Babidi approached him holding an unplugged electric hedge trimmer, according to the department's latest account.

Babidi was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after the shooting, as Patch previously reported.

The Major Crimes Assistance Team's investigation remains ongoing. The outside agency is working with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office to determine whether the officer's actions were criminal and whether the use of force was justified.

Mother Called 911 For Help

According to the Sept. 30 release, Babidi's mother called 911 at about 2:32 p.m. from a home in the 2000 block of East Touhy Avenue. She reported that her son was threatening to kill her while experiencing what she described as a bipolar manic episode.

The caller had locked Babidi out of the home for her safety, and he was breaking windows, the department reported.

Muchow was the first officer to arrive. Police said he was immediately confronted by Babidi, who approached him holding the hedge trimmer.

The sergeant backed away while repeatedly ordering Babidi to show his hands and put down the trimmer, according to the release. Muchow also warned that he would shoot.

Police reported that Babidi responded, "I'm not going to put it down. You put it down."

According to the department's account, Babidi followed Muchow across five lanes of traffic on Touhy Avenue. Muchow fired two shots, then a third when Babidi continued approaching.

Muchow and other officers began providing medical aid until Des Plaines Fire Department personnel arrived and took over.

Body Camera Was Powered On

Police said Muchow had powered on his body camera while traveling to the scene and believed he had placed it in recording mode before leaving his squad car.

The department previously reported that the body camera was not activated before the shooting, citing the encounter's rapid escalation. The confrontation was captured by the squad car’s camera and nearby residential surveillance cameras.

The recordings released Wednesday include (viewer discretion advised):

• The 911 recording from the resident at 2047 E. Touhy
• The video of Babidi taken from a third-party standing nearby prior to officers’ arrival
• The 911 recording of a third-party who reported the incident prior to officers’ arrival
• A video that links the squad car recording and home surveillance recording
• Sergeant Muchow’s squad car video of the incident
• A video from a nearby home surveillance camera
• The recording of the 911 dispatch information provided to responding officers

Police said the outside investigation had progressed to the point that the recordings could be released. The department had initially withheld the footage to avoid interfering with the investigation.

Sergeant Remains On Administrative Leave

Muchow was placed on administrative leave under department policy while the investigation is conducted.

Five other officers who were near the incident were also placed on administrative leave until investigators could interview them. Those officers have returned to full duty.

The department said administrative leave does not indicate wrongdoing.

Once the Major Crimes Assistance Team completes its investigation, the department plans to hire a third-party investigator to review departmental policies and procedures related to the shooting.

Police said further updates will follow the state's attorney's review and completion of the city’s administrative investigation.

"Any loss of life is a tragedy, and we recognize the profound grief this incident brings to those affected," the department said in its release.

Previous Coverage

• Man Killed In Des Plaines Police Shooting Was Armed With Hedge Trimmer: Police
• Touhy Avenue Closed During Police Investigation In Des Plaines