Oak Park police fatally shot a man during a traffic stop Sunday evening near the intersection of Austin Boulevard and Harrison Street.
Police fatally shot the driver of an SUV after officers discovered he was carrying a concealed firearm during a “protective pat down” following the traffic stop, Dan Yopchick, Oak Park spokesperson, told Wednesday Journal in a statement Monday morning. Police had stopped the driver at approximately 9:10 p.m. and he was pronounced dead at Loyola University Medical Center at 9:59 p.m. May 31, according to the village.
The Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation, according to the village.
“During the stop, the driver was instructed by the officer to exit the vehicle,” Yopchick said. “The officer performed a protective pat down and, in doing so, discovered a firearm concealed on the driver’s person. A prolonged physical struggle over control of the firearm ensued between the officer and the driver.”
During that struggle, the driver reportedly regained possession of his firearm before the officer fired his service weapon and shot the man, according to the village.
Oak Park officers administered first aid to the driver on scene until he was transported to the hospital. The Oak Park officer was also transported to the same hospital for injuries he sustained during the incident and was released shortly before 6 a.m. Monday, June 1, according to the village.
A firearm with a defaced serial number was recovered at the scene, according to the village.
The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The officer’s name will be released in accordance with department policy, according to the village.