Update: According to a release by the Kane County Coronor’s Office, the man fatally shot by two Aurora police officers Wednesday has been identified as 19-year-old Christopher Lepe of Aurora. An autopsy was conducted Wednesday, and the cause and manner of death are currently under investigation. Toxicology samples have been collected and sent for further forensic analysis.
A man is dead after being shot early Wednesday morning by Aurora police officers who had identified him as the suspect in an incident in Geneva that left a Geneva police officer in hospital.
At approximately 1:28am Wednesday, a Geneva police officer noticed a suspicious vehicle parked in the business parking lot in the 1500 block of South Randall Road. The officer noticed the driver may allegedly have been intoxicated and asked him to exit the vehicle.
Instead, the man started the car and drove away, dragging the officer a short distance in the parking lot. The man fled the area, but the vehicle description and license plate were passed along to neighboring law enforcement agencies.
Shortly thereafter, Aurora police located the vehicle traveling southbound on Lake Street near Galena Boulevard. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop. Officers gave chase and, ultimately, the vehicle traveled northbound Route 25. As the vehicle approached Ashland Avenue, officers successfully deployed stop sticks and the vehicle came to a stop a short distance later.
According to Aurora police, as officers attempted to contact the driver, the driver displayed a weapon, and two Aurora police officers shot at the driver, severely wounding him. The officers rendered aid until he was transported to a local hospital by Aurora fire paramedics. The individual was pronounced deceased a short time later.
An investigation into the officers’ actions is being conducted by the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force. Both Aurora officers have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure for officer-involved deaths
