Family Says Video of Highland Park Hospital Shooting Shows a Murder

A video of the Highland Park Hospital shooting released this week by authorities has not persuaded Christopher Anderson’s family that the police acted justifiably in shooting him.

Anderson, 27, and his 9-year-old daughter went to the hospital on Nov. 3 after a car accident. He became agitated and combative, and pulled a gun. Police shot the Waukegan man nine times in less than 2 seconds after warning him to drop the weapon. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s office ruled the shooting was justified and the officers acted appropriately.

“They murdered him like a pure animal,” LaDonna Rhyan, his girlfriend, told reporters Wednesday at a press conference attended by his family and friends.

Maurice Hood, Anderson’s cousin, said the explanations do not jibe with the video. A nurse appears to be laughing on the video, he said, just before shots were fired.

“If the situation was kind of humorous, when did it get to the point of death?” Hood asked.

The video shows four officers arriving to the room within minutes, while others are in the hall. Two officers open fire.

Hood said the family may hire a lawyer to conduct its own investigation. The family has been demanding to see the video since last week’s funeral. The family said it’s unable to pay for the man’s burial.

» more via Pioneer Press