Two white police officers in Decatur, Ill. allegedly shot and seriously wounded a black man in the early hours of Monday morning. USA Today reports that the 40-year-old is a resident of Decatur, and was reportedly shot in the chest by police who were responding to a call about someone in possession of a handgun.
The names of the officers involved in the shooting have also not been made public, but local police said in a press conference that an investigation into the shooting is underway.
In the press conference held early Monday morning, Interim Police Chief James Getz said that the man who was shot was in serious condition at St. Mary's hospital, and that emergency medical vehicles had been "immediately dispatched to the scene." Getz further stated that the incident is being investigated by the Illinois State Police, which is standard procedure.
Adding that the police officers were not wearing body cameras, Getz noted that cameras in the police vehicles had captured video of the incident, and that the video was being reviewed as a part of the investigation.
Getz concluded his statement by asking that "everyone remain peaceful and reserve judgment until all of the facts are known."
Jeanelle Norman, who works with Area Leaders and Educators Response Team (ALERT), a group that addresses relations between local police and the community also spoke at the press conference. Norman said,
We know that trust may be an issue, however, we, the ALERT team, are here to ensure that the process is properly followed. Let's show our community and the nation that Decatur will remain calm during these turbulent times in our nation and around the world.
The Macon County Sheriff's Department and the Decatur Police Department did not immediately return Complex's requests for comment.
