Victory Center in Park Forest. (Photo: Gary Kopycinski)
Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Park Forest police are waiting for the results of an autopsy following the death of a 95-year-old Victory Center resident police describe in a statement as "combative," and wielding a foot-long "butcher-type kitchen knife."
In a statement released July 27, police say that on July 26th 2013 at 8:42 p.m., officers from the Park Forest Police Department were dispatched to 101 Main Street in Park Forest to assist a private ambulance company with a combative 95-year-old male resident who was being involuntarily committed by facility staff for medical treatment.
According to police, upon arrival, the officers were confronted by the resident who was threatening the staff and paramedics with a metal cane and a two foot metal shoehorn.
Attempts were made verbally to have the resident comply with demands to drop the articles, to no avail, according to police.
The resident then armed himself with a 12-inch butcher-type kitchen knife, police say in the statement.
Police say officers continued verbal commands to the resident for him surrender and comply with their orders.
The officers attempted to deploy a Taser against the individual which was ineffective, according to police.
Police say the subject continued to threaten the officers, still armed with the knife. Still refusing to comply and fearing for the safety of the man and others, police say in the statement the subject was struck with "less lethal bean bag rounds in an attempt to get him to drop the knife without causing serious injury."
After that measure was deployed, the man dropped the weapon and was taken into custody, according to police.
Police say in the statement the subject was conscious and talking with the officers and staff prior to being transported to a local hospital by Park Forest paramedics.
The subject was later transferred to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn where he passed away at approximately 2:30 a.m., according to police.
An autopsy will be performed at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death.
The incident is being reviewed by the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Unit, which is protocol, according to police.
Gary Kopycinski is editor and publisher of eNews Park Forest and a village trustee in Park Forest. His reporting is his own. eNews Park Forest, Inc. is an independent media company and is not affiliated with the Village of Park Forest in any way.
