Police Shooting Found Justified By Prosecutors After ISP Probe

WAUKEGAN, IL — A review by the Lake County State's Attorney's Office of an Illinois State Police investigation determined the shooting of a 27-year-old man by a Waukegan police officer was justified. Police shot the man on the evening of Dec. 26 after he allegedly tried to rob a cop using a fake gun. He has been in police custody following his release from the hospital in January, and police released body camera footage of the incident Tuesday.

Edward Prado, 27, of Waukegan, has been charged with attempted aggravated robbery – for allegedly implying he had a gun – aggravated assault on a police officer, attempting to disarm a police officer and possession of a stolen vehicle.

According to police, an officer was sitting in his squad car in on the west side of the Waukegan Police Department around 5 p.m. on Boxing Day when he encountered Prado at the window to his car.

Prado brandished an apparent black handgun and demanded the officer hand over his firearm.

The officer responded by shooting Prado at point-blank range.

The audio on the body camera footage does not activate until after shots are fired.

A dark-colored object appears to have landed in the snow beside Prado's body as the officer steps out of the squad car and radios for assistance.

"Shots fired. I'm involved," the officer radios.

"He came up and put a [inaudible] gun at me," he can be heard saying as the video ends.

Police said an investigation into the incident determined that Prado stole a vehicle that had been left running earlier on the night of the shooting. He then went to a store in Waukegan and bought a BB gun before driving over the police station and confronting the uniformed officer in his parked squad car.

Prado is due to face trial in July, according to court records.

Body-worn Camera Video from Dec. 26 via Waukegan PD: