EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. -- A 47-year-old Fairview Heights man was shot by police after he allegedly refused to put his assault-type weapon down outside an East St. Louis nightclub about 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
Police Chief Bobby Cole said when he was last updated the unnamed victim was in good condition.
Cole said Illinois State Police are investigating the officer-involved shooting that left the victim with a gunshot wound to the hand.
And East St. Louis police are moving forward to pursue charges against the suspect, who had been going in and out of a local nightclub with the weapon, he said.
The victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment of his wound. Cole said the injury is not life threatening, and his officer was not injured. While the unidentified officer's actions are being investigated, he will be on administrative assignment, Cole said.
Cole said the police department received 911 call in reference to a man with a gun at 27th and Ridge Avenue at Blues Palace Bar.
"The man had been the in and out of the club with the gun, a small assault-type weapon," Cole said. "When our officers arrived, they saw the man outside in front of the bar.
"The individual with the gun was directed by the officer to drop the weapon several times. He refused and pointed his weapon at the officer. The officer took action. He fired a shot and struck the subject in the hand," Cole said.
The man's weapon was booked into evidence.
Asked whether alcohol may have played a role in the man's behavior, Cole said he didn't know.
He said the unnamed officer was courageous in the situation. "We believe he took the appropriate action," Cole said.
Copyright 2011 - Belleville News-Democrat, Ill.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
