On June 3, 2022, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Naperville Police Officer Frank Tonkovich observed a black Honda Civic disobey a stop sign at eastbound McDowell Road and Bond Street. Officer Tonkovich, who was driving a marked Naperville Police squad car, positioned his vehicle behind the Honda and conducted a traffic stop on the Honda Civic on northbound Bond St. just north of McDowell Road.
About 15 minutes later, while Officer Tonkovich was speaking with the driver, a silver Ford Fusion driven by Edward Samaan stopped in the middle of the road within just a few feet of Officer Tonkovich’s location. Samaan exited the Ford Fusion with a hatchet in his right hand and charged at Officer Tonkovich.
Officer Tonkovich drew his firearm and fired six shots at Samaan, killing him. Samaan was shot 5 times, ultimately dying from the gunshot wounds. An investigation into the shooting was conducted by the MERIT Public Integrity Team, whose investigators processed the scene where they recovered six spent shell casings and the hatchet carried by Samaan.
Today, State’s Attorney Bob Berlin issued a statement exonerating Officer Tonkovich for the shooting.
“Every case involving the use of deadly force by a police officer, whether on or off duty, must be carefully and thoroughly investigated. Such scrutiny is required to ensure the protection of the civil rights of those involved and to maintain the public’s confidence in law enforcement.
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“After a thorough and extensive investigation surrounding the shooting of twenty-eight-year-old Edward Samaan, which occurred on June 3, 2022, in the late morning hours at the intersection of Bond and McDowell Street, Naperville, by an on-duty Naperville Police Officer, it is my determination that the officer’s actions were justified and no criminal charges will be filed against the Officer.”
Berlin cited a number of sources used to reach his conclusion, including police reports, statements from those involved, body-worn video, and in-car squad video, among other things.
“In accordance with Illinois law, my staff and I have reviewed the facts and circumstances of the case with special consideration given to the perspective of the officer on the scene. It is important to remember that police officers are often forced to make split-second decisions about the appropriate amount of force necessary to bring a tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving situation under control.”
Officer Tonkovich and all of the responding Naperville Police Officers should be commended for their professionalism during this extremely tense incident. Their concern for the safety and well-being of Edward Samaan after he had been shot is a testament to the excellent training they received from the Naperville Police Department. Our sympathies, condolences and thoughts go out to the family of Edward Samaan as they grieve the loss of a loved one.”
Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres issued a statement after the ruling was handed down.
“Today, the results of an independent investigation were released, ruling that the actions of our veteran officer were justified when he used his firearm to stop a man from attacking him with a hatchet during a traffic stop on June 3, 2022.
“This incident illustrates that there is no such thing as a ‘routine traffic stop,’ and I’m both pleased and grateful that the investigation determined our officer’s quick actions to save his own life and that of the young man he had pulled over were within the law.
“I want to thank the DuPage County Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigative Team (MERIT) and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office for their thorough investigation as well as the Naperville community for their continued support of our department.”
