The family of a 24-year-old man fatally shot by Illinois police on Dec. 1 says he may have been experiencing emotional distress at the time of the incident, according to the family’s attorney.
Jack Murray, of Elk Grove Village, had called police in the past when he was experiencing physical or mental health crises that may have been brought on by his Type 1 diabetes, according to a Dec. 4 news release from Romanucci & Blandin Law. Police confirmed to WBBM they had previously responded to calls at Murray’s home.
“We believe that may have been what happened on Friday, December 1,” the family’s attorney Antonio M. Romanucci said.
That day, Murray was wielding a knife when officers responded to a 911 call at his residence, according to an Elk Grove Village Police Department Dec. 1 news release.
The family said police then shot and killed Murray outside, “just a few doors away from the Murray family home.”
Murray’s family has called for the release of body camera and dash camera footage, the 911 call and and video from all prior encounters with Murray, Romanucci said.
Police said in a Dec. 4 update they plan on releasing the requested 911 call, as well as body- and dash-cam footage and audio, the release said.
The department said it is cooperating with an independent investigation into the incident led by the Major Case Assistance Team.
Five of the responding officers “have been placed on temporary administrative leave as the investigation continues,” police said.
The family has opened a civil investigation with the Chicago-based firm into Murray’s shooting death, focusing on the police department’s use of lethal force, Romanucci & Blandin Law said.
The Elk Grove Village Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on Dec. 5.
Elk Grove Village is about 25 miles northwest of Chicago.
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