State and local law enforcement confirmed that a man wielding a chainsaw inside a senior-living facility in St. Charles, Illinois, was shot and killed by police early Sunday. Officers and residents of the assisted-living facility were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The man, who has not publicly been identified, was allegedly attempting to cut down a tree on the facility’s property at about 8:45 a.m. on Sunday. The St. Charles Police Department said in a press statement that when police arrived at the facility at the 900 block of North 5th Avenue, the man was ‘shirtless’, adding: “just before police arrival, witnesses advised the subject had now gained entry to the lobby of the building and began confronting residents with the chainsaw …the suspect continued his attempts to use the chainsaw against residents of the building,” as well as against responding officers.
The Illinois State Police said in a press release that officers used a taser on the man, “but his attack continued,” and then an officer fired his gun, striking the alleged attacker, upon which “the male suspect was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.”
According to local ABC affiliate WLS-TV a spokesperson for River Glen of St. Charles said the person was never authorized to enter the facility. They added: “We are deeply grateful for the swift action of our team and law enforcement. We want to emphasize that our community is secure, and all of our residents and staff members are safe. We are working closely with law enforcement as they continue their investigation of this isolated incident.”
The Illinois State Police said it was continuing to investigate the cause of the shooting.
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