Man Shot By Police Was Armed With BB Gun: Lawyer

ST. CHARLES, IL – The defense attorney for a St. Charles man who was shot by police this past April said Christopher Kemble was armed with a BB gun at the time of the shooting, the Daily Herald reports. The lawyer said police had been "on notice" that Kemble's weapon was a BB gun. In a press release from police following the April 26 incident, Kemble called police to his home in 3400 block of Voltaire Lane to report a burglary in progress.

"Police later learned that Kemble had also communicated with friends that he had a gun and that he intended to kill himself or have police kill him," according to the news release.

When police arrived at the scene, they encountered an armed person running from the area toward a neighborhood park. The St. Charles Police Department began establishing a perimeter around the area to contain the subject, who then pointed the gun in the officers' direction. At that point, "shots were fired by police," according to officials.

Police also learned Kemble made up the story about the burglary to lure them to the scene, according to media reports.

Defense attorney Brick Van Der Snick referred to the officer-involved shooting as a "very unfortunate situation," according to the Daily Herald. Kemble was listed in stable condition following the shooting. He remained hospitalized until he was taken into police custody on July 26 after a warrant was issued, according to the Daily Herald.

He has since posted 10 percent of his $10,000 bail and was released from custody. He has been charged with disorderly conduct, false crime report, a Class 4 felony; three counts of aggravated assault to a peace officer; and reckless conduct.

The Illinois State Police is investigating the officer-involved shooting.

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PHOTO VIA SHUTTERSTOCK