Aurora police kill man after chase
A man was killed by police early Wednesday in Aurora after a chase that started when a police officer was injured in Geneva.
The shooting happened around 1:30 a.m. on South Broadway (Route 25) near Ashland Avenue, according to Aurora police.
Aurora officers were responding to a call for help trying to find a person wanted in connection with an aggravated battery to a Geneva police officer.
Geneva police say an officer was dragged by a car while investigating a suspicious vehicle in a business parking lot on the 1500 block of South Randall Road. The Geneva officer suspected the driver of being drunk and asked him to get out of the car.
Instead, the man started it and drove away. Geneva police say the officer sustained serious injuries.
Geneva police broadcast an alert for the vehicle.
Aurora police found it driving south on Lake Street (Route 31) near Galena Boulevard. The driver refused to stop for them. Kane County deputies were also involved in the chase.
The pursuit ended on northbound Broadway when officers stopped the car with tire-deflating spikes.
Authorities say that as officers approached the car, the driver showed a gun. Two officers shot at him.
At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Aurora officials, including Police Chief Keith Cross, expressed condolences for the relatives and friends of the person shot.
“Regardless of the circumstances, any loss of life is tragic,” Cross said.
He and Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser refused to give the man’s name, age or where he lived. They also declined to say what kind of gun police believed the person had, and whether police had dealt with the man previously. Both said they did not want to compromise the investigation into the shooting.
Mosser will ultimately determine whether the officers should be criminally prosecuted.
Mosser said the two officers won’t be interviewed until at least 72 hours after the shooting due to the detrimental effect of a traumatic incident on their brains, including their memories.
In addition, Mosser said state law doesn’t allow the release of their body-worn cameras until after the officers are interviewed because the officers are not supposed to watch the video before being interviewed. She said the 72-hour delay is a standard practice.
The Kane County Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the shooting. Both Aurora officers have been placed on administrative leave.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office has said an identity won’t be released until the person’s relatives are notified.
The Geneva officer is in stable condition at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva. Aurora Police Chief Keith Cross said the officer will be having surgery.