Trevon Johnson Shooting Justified, No Charges For Officer: Ruling

A DuPage County deputy sheriff will not be charged in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trevon Johnson in January. After an investigation, Illinois State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said the officer was “justified in his actions” because he reportedly asked Johnson to put down a weapon.

On Jan. 1, 2017, Deputy Scott Kuschell responded to repeated calls reporting domestic violence in unincorporated Villa Park. The released 911 calls from Trevon’s brother, Robert, and sister, Ricquia Jones, indicated that he “[had] a whole bunch of weapons” including a large kitchen knife, police said.

When Kuschell arrived at the scene, police said Trevon Johnson had a knife —approximately ¾” long and ½” to ¾” wide held above his head. Deputy Scott Kuschell said he told Johnson to put down the knife, but that Johnson then threw the knife at him. Kuschell then fired his gun at Johnson, shooting Johnson four times.

Many of Johnson’s other family members —and the family’s attorney— believe that he was not armed during the fatal shooting and that there was no altercation between him and Kuschell.

Listen to the three 911 calls:

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