Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser announced today that her office will not pursue criminal charges against St. Charles police officers involved in the fatal shooting of 41-year-old Daniel H. Escalera last December. Mosser concluded that the investigation of the incident, undertaken by Illinois State Police, found no wrongdoing on the part of the officers.
According to a press release announcing the decision, the investigation determined that on December 1, 2024, a 911 caller reported seeing Escalera wielding a chainsaw entering River Glen of St. Charles, a senior living facility. The first St. Charles police officer to arrive made contact with Escalera was at the doorway to the facility’s cafeteria, near multiple residents. The officer displayed his taser and gave multiple verbal commands for Escalera to drop the chainsaw. Escalera entered the cafeteria and started the chainsaw, at which point the officer tased him, striking him in the chest. Escalera was briefly knocked down before getting back up, grabbing the chainsaw, and then running toward the officer, who retreated into the lobby and was joined by a second officer.
Both officers quickly returned to the cafeteria and a third officer followed Escalera through a secondary doorway of the cafeteria and eventually back into the lobby, where Escalera held the chainsaw over his head and charged toward the officer. The officer fired two shots which both missed Escalera. Escalera physically collided with the officer, striking him with the chainsaw and dropping the chainsaw. The officer fired a third shot as Escalera fled toward a hallway, hitting him in the left forearm.
Once reaching the hallway, Escalera stopped to the immediate right of an elderly resident in a wheelchair, turned toward the officers, and held his hands forward in a position which appeared to imitate holding a firearm. The officer fired a fourth shot striking Escalera in the chest. Escalera immediately collapsed to the floor and officers handcuffed him before immediately providing medical treatment to the gunshot wound. Paramedics soon arrived and took over life sustaining measures. Escalera was transported to Delnor Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office diagnosed Escalera as having methamphetamine intoxication and multiple gunshot wounds. The cause of death was ascribed to multiple gunshot wounds. Toxicology reports showed the presence of amphetamines, methamphetamines, and olanzapine.
“I first want to thank the St. Charles police officers for acting to de-escalate the situation before being forced to resort to the deadly use of force,” said State’s Attorney Mosser. “My thanks also to the Illinois State Police for their diligent and thorough investigation into this incident, and to the Kane County Coroner’s Office and the St. Charles Police Department for providing critical support and transparency throughout this process.
“Every case of an officer-involved shooting must be carefully and thoroughly investigated. This scrutiny maintains the public’s confidence in law enforcement and ensures the protection of the civil rights of those involved. After a comprehensive and thorough review of the investigation into this tragic incident, it is clear that the officers here acted in accordance with both department policy and Illinois law. The evidence demonstrates that his actions were appropriate and justified in the circumstances. Acknowledging the tragic loss of life and offering condolences to Mr. Escalera’s family, my office has therefore closed the investigation into this matter.”
