Evanston Suspect Shot, Wounded After Lunging At Police With Knife

On Saturday, August 31, 2013, at 9:40 a.m., the Skokie Police Department was notified by Evanston Police that an offender from a battery incident in Evanston was traveling through Skokie via a CTA bus.  Shortly after the notification, Skokie Police Officers were dispatched to the 4800 block of Oakton St. for a disturbance at a local area business.  The suspect’s description matched the description provided by Evanston Police. 

Within the 4800 block of Oakton St., the suspect confronted a business owner on the sidewalk. The owner ran back into the business and locked the door.  The suspect then attempted to kick in the front door of the business.  A  Skokie Officer arrived on the scene and approached the suspect.  The suspect then brandished a sharp edged knife.  Additional Skokie Officers arrived on scene shortly thereafter.  The suspect refused to put the weapon down after several verbal commands by the officers.  The suspect lunged towards officers with the knife, multiple times.  During the encounter, the suspect continued to move east on the sidewalk toward Skokie Blvd.  The incident eventually made its way to the intersection of Oakton St. and Skokie Blvd.  During the incident, in an attempt to stop the imminent threat, the officers struck the suspect with a baton and sprayed him with Oleoresin Capsicum spray (pepper spray), neither having any effect on his threatening actions.  The suspect again lunged towards the officers with the knife.  One officer fired one round at the suspect, striking him in the left leg.  Additionally, the suspect was positively identified as being the person wanted by Evanston P.D.    

The suspect is believed to be a 53 year old male resident of Mount Prospect, IL.  He was transported to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, IL. for his injuries, where he is in stable condition and in police custody.   No Skokie Officers were injured as a result of this incident.

The Officer involved in the shooting incident is a 14 year veteran of the Skokie Police Department.  As is common with suburban police agencies, a follow-up investigation is being conducted by the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force; Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Skokie Police Department.

Criminal charges against the suspect are under review and will be announced at a later date.

If you have any information or knowledge regarding the above events, please contact the Skokie Police Department at (847) 982-5900.

The Crime Tip Hotline number is 847/933-TIPS (8477) and is available 24 hours per day.  More information can be found at www.skokie.org.