UPDATED: Tazewell Sheriff says deputy killed rural Mackinaw man in self-defense

Posted on April 20, 2018
mackinaw shooting
The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy fatally shot an armed suspect in self-defense at this home in rural Mackinaw. (WMBD photo)

By Howard Packowitz

MACKINAW – It was an 18-year old rural Mackinaw man who police shot to death near Mackinaw Friday morning, according to the Peoria County Coroner.

Tazewell County Sheriff’s Police say the deputy who fired the fatal shots has 25 years experience as an officer. The deputy was examined at an area hospital and released.

Sheriff’s Police say two deputies and a Mackinaw police officer were called to the scene on Illlinois Route 9, about three miles east of Mackinaw, where a man was said to be suicidal, armed with a knife and an ax, and trying to break into a gun cabinet.

Our news partner, WMBD-TV, reports the man came toward the officers and fired a gunshot.

A sheriff’s department news release said the deputy fired back in self-defense and wounded the suspect, who was pronounced dead at Peoria’s OSF St. Francis Medical Center.

Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said it’s not known yet how many times the man was shot.

The coroner has scheduled an autopsy, and the dead man’s name is being withheld until family members are notified.

Illinois State Police and the coroner’s office are investigating.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…