An Elgin police officer responding to an attempted suicide allegedly found himself under attack from the subject he was trying to aid early Saturday morning, resulting in him shooting and wounding the subject, who was later transported to a local hospital in stable condition.
According to the Elgin Police Department, on Saturday at 1:28 a.m., an officer responded to the 900 block of Oak Ridge Boulevard for a reported suicidal subject.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the officer was directed inside the residence by the caller for assistance with a 29-year-old male subject. The officer entered the residence and observed the subject with obvious wounds to his neck and torso area. When the officer attempted to provide assistance, the subject began struggling with the officer, ultimately obtaining a knife with which he began stabbing himself before approaching the officer still armed with the knife. As the subject approached the officer, the officer discharged his firearm, wounding the subject. The officer secured the subject and then began administering aid.
Under department policy, the officer involved in the shooting was transported to a local hospital for observation and testing, was later released, and has been placed on paid administrative leave.
The Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force was contacted and will be conducting the investigation in accordance with state law.
Elgin Chief of Police Anna Lalley stated “We will be sharing information as soon as possible, including the release of body camera video, after the Public Integrity Task Force’s investigation and other critical investigative procedures have been completed.”