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Law enforcement officials who shot and killed a person who was wielding a chainsaw inside a seniors’ assisted dwelling middle in St. Charles, Illinois, in December won’t face any prison fees, Kane County prosecutors introduced on Tuesday.
Daniel H. Escalera, of Stockwell, Indiana, was shot and killed by police on the River Glen of St. Charles assisted dwelling facility on Dec. 1, 2024.
Kane County State’s Legal professional Jamie Mosser’s workplace reviewed an Illinois State Police investigation of the capturing, and introduced Tuesday that the capturing was justified, and not one of the officers concerned will face any prison fees.
Physique digicam footage launched by Mosser’s workplace exhibits St. Charles cops confronting Escalera contained in the foyer and cafeteria of the constructing.
The primary officer who arrived on the scene pointed a Taser at Escalera as he’s making an attempt to begin the chainsaw, and repeatedly telling him to drop it.
Escalera was apparently looking for his spouse, and could possibly be heard saying, «The place is she?»
«I simply need my spouse, man,» Escalera mentioned whereas repeatedly pulling on the chainsaw’s twine.
After efficiently beginning up the chainsaw, an officer fired a Taser into his chest, knocking him to the bottom within the facility’s cafeteria, simply toes away from two folks sitting at a desk.
Escalera then shortly received again on his toes and lunged towards the officer, who backed up into the foyer.
As extra officers arrived inside the ability, Escalera moved into the foyer and raised the chainsaw over his head earlier than charging one of many officers. That officer fired two pictures, which missed Escalera, who then collided with the officer, struck him with the chainsaw and dropped the chainsaw, police mentioned. Mosser’s workplace mentioned that officer then shot Escalera within the arm after he dropped the chainsaw.
Escalera continued operating into a close-by hallway, and one of many officers shot him within the chest whereas he was standing simply inches away from an individual in a wheelchair.
On the video, Escalera falls to the bottom after being shot and officers can then be seen handcuffing him and offering first support whereas calling for paramedics. Mosser’s workplace mentioned Escalera was taken to Northwestern Drugs Delnor Hospital, the place he was pronounced useless.
An post-mortem decided Escalera died of a number of gunshot wounds. He was additionally identified with methamphetamine poisoning. Mosser’s workplace mentioned toxicology reviews confirmed he had amphetamines, methamphetamines, and olanzapine in his system. Olanzapine is a drugs used to deal with schizophrenia.
Mosser’s workplace mentioned, based mostly on the video and different proof, prosecutors «discovered no wrongdoing on the a part of the officers» and closed the investigation with none fees in opposition to the officers.
«I first wish to thank the St. Charles cops for performing to de-escalate the conditions earlier than being compelled to resort to the lethal use of power,» Mosser mentioned in a press release. «After a complete and thorough assessment of the investigation into this tragic incident, it’s clear that the officers right here acted in accordance with each division coverage and Illinois legislation. The proof demonstrates that their actions had been acceptable and justified within the circumstances.»
Police have mentioned Escalera had no ties to the world or the senior dwelling middle and had no earlier encounters with St. Charles police. His cause for being in St. Charles is unknown.
