Attorneys Question Police Tactics Used In Deadly Shooting On I-90

ELGIN, IL — Attorneys for Decynthia Clements family are questioning tactics used by the Elgin Police Department in a deadly officer-involved shooting along Interstate 90 last week, the Associated Press reports. On Thursday, the Elgin Police Department released over 30 hours of video footage from body cameras and squad cars, which shed more light into the events leading up to the fatal shooting of Clements, 34. The incident occurred between Beverly Road and Route 25 on westbound I-90 on March 12.

The video shows Elgin officers going over tactics for apprehending Clements, who refused to get out of her vehicle after pulling over to the side of I-90, safely out. The officers also alluded to the fact she may have crack cocaine and a steak knife in the car and was suicidal. One officer said she put the knife up to her neck at one point. After negotiating with Clements for more than an hour, the woman's car started on fire.

As Clements' vehicle fills with smoke, she can be seen opening the driver's side door while officers demand for her to put down her knife and get out of the car. She can also be heard coughing. While wielding a knife, she takes between one and two steps toward officers when she is shot.

Prior to the shooting, officers discussed using less-lethal methods, including a 40-mm rubber bullet, and if she got closer, a taser. Clements was taken to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates where she was pronounced dead.

In a statement released Thursday, attorney Andrew Stroth said officers needed more training on how to de-escalate situations so they can avoid using deadly force. Attorneys for Clements' family said they will be moving forward with a lawsuit, according to the Associated Press article.

The Elgin Police Department posted summary footage of the shooting video on its Facebook page. WARNING: The video may be disturbing to some.

Illinois State Police are currently investigating the officer-involved shooting. Authorities identified the officer involved in the shooting as Lt. Christian Jensen, a 19-year Elgin Police Department veteran and current SWAT team member. The officer involved in the shooting is on administrative leave – which is standard protocol for officer-involved shootings, according to the Daily Herald.

Jensen, police said, has received 22 commendations or awards between the years of 2002 to 2017, including the 2014 Manager of the Year.

Meanwhile, a city council member, activists and residents have called on an independent group to investigate the shooting, according to the Associated Press.

Early on March 12, officers initially made contact with Clements at about 12:34 a.m. when they spotted her in a "suspicious vehicle" in the area of Cedar Avenue in Elgin. She then fled the scene, Elgin Police Department Chief Jeffrey Swoboda said.

The beginning of the video released Thursday shows a squad car pursuing Clements' car onto I-90. A short time later, officers spotted the vehicle on westbound Interstate 90 near Route 25. It had "obvious damage," Swoboda said. While officers worked to try and lure Clements out of her car, she periodically moved her car several feet.

Clements was armed with a knife when she got out of the car. It's unclear exactly what transpired in the short span after she got out of the vehicle and the officer fired three shots.

When the Illinois State Police finishes up its investigation, the case will be presented to the Cook County State’s Attorney, police said. The Elgin Police Department will then conduct its own review to determine whether officers on the scene followed department policies and procedures, Swoboda said.

Photo via Elgin PD video