Man Dies After Officer-Involved Shooting; Warrant Issued for Second Suspect

Photos: Shaquille Barrow (left) died Tuesday morning after being shot twice in an officer-involved shooting on Monday; police are seeking Shawn Miller (right) in connection with a burglary the two men allegedly committed. Credit: Joliet Police Department.

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A 20-year-old Joliet man shot after allegedly reaching for a handgun while fleeing police died Tuesday morning, Joliet Police Chief Brian Benton said.

• Joliet Officer Shoots Armed Suspect: Police

Benton said Shaquille Barrow, who was taken to Presence St. Joseph Medical Center immediately after the shooting, died of his wounds and was pronounced dead at 10:55 a.m. Tuesday.

Benton said Barrow and a second man, identified as 21-year-old Shawn M. Miller, were stopped by an officer responding to a report of a burglary Monday afternoon in the 100 block of Mississippi Avenue.

The victim told police she arrived home to find the contents of her purse strewn on the lawn and her wallet missing, and spotted the two suspects leaving the scene on foot. The woman called 911, relaying a description of the two men, and followed them in her vehicle, police said.

Benton said the woman told police she heard one of them threaten to shoot her if she continued to follow them.

A uniformed officer located the suspects walking on Richards Street and stopped them, Benton said. As he searched one suspect, later identified as Barrow, the officer saw the butt of a handgun sticking out of the man’s waistband/pocket area, police said.

“The officer drew his Taser and ordered the suspect not to move at which time the suspect fled from the officer,” Benton said. “As the officer gave chase and ordered the suspect to halt, he observed the suspect retrieving the handgun from his pocket at which time the officer fired out of fear for his safety and the safety of others in the area.”

Barrow, who was shot twice, was taken to St. Joe’s, where he underwent surgery, Benton said.

Police said a loaded .357 magnum was recovered from Barrow at the scene.

Benton said police records show that Barrow was a “convicted felon and self-admitted gang member” with a lengthy criminal history, including two convictions for weapons offenses. At the time of the shooting, Barrow was on parole for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, police said.

Benton said the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office has issued an arrest warrant for Miller, who fled during the Tuesday afternoon incident. Miller is wanted on charges of obstruction of justice, theft and assault.

Following the shooting, Benton said the officer was taken to an area hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released.

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. Benton said placing the officer on leave is standard.

“A deadly force incident is an inherent risk of the job in the policing profession and is one that police officers train for but hope to never be a part of,” Benton said in a statement issued Tuesday night. “The officers involved are doing well. The Police Department’s thoughts and prayers are with the officer, his family, and our entire Police Department, as they are with the loved ones of the deceased.”

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