Joliet Officer Shoots Armed Suspect: Police

An alleged burglary suspect was undergoing surgery Monday night after an officer-involved shooting on First Avenue near Richards Street, Joliet police said.

Police Chief Brian Benton said the man was shot as he allegedly reached for a handgun while fleeing an officer who was responding to a reported burglary.

Benton said the burglary victim arrived at her home in the 100 block of Mississippi Avenue at around 4:30 p.m. to find the contents of her purse strewn on her lawn and two suspects reportedly fleeing from the residence on foot. Benton said the woman’s wallet was stolen in the incident.

The woman followed the two men in her vehicle while calling police on her cell phone and relaying descriptions of the suspects. She was following the suspects when she heard them threaten to shoot her, Benton said.

An officer who responded to her 911 call located the suspects walking along Richards Street. Benton said the officer ordered the men to put their hands on his squad car and began a pat search of one suspect when he noticed the butt of a handgun sticking out of the suspect’s pocket.

Benton said the officer drew his Taser and ordered the suspect not to move, at which point the alleged burglar took off running.

Benton said the officer gave chase, and had ordered the suspect to stop when he saw the suspect retrieving the gun from his pocket. He said the officer fired “out of fear for his safety and the safety of others in the area.”

Police said the suspect was struck twice and was taken to Presence St. Joseph Medical Center, where he was undergoing surgery on Monday night. Benton declined to identify the suspect, but said the man was out on parole after an aggravated unlawful use of a weapon conviction.

Police said a handgun was recovered at the scene.

Benton said the second suspect, described as a black male around age 20, fled and remained at large late Monday.

The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, “which is standard,” Benton said. The officer is on leave pending a criminal investigation by the Will County State’s Attorney’s office, which will determine whether the officer’s actions were in line with state law, and an administrative investigation to determine whether he acted in compliance with Joliet Police Department policy and training.

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