Cops fatally shoot man taking pictures of schools in Chicago suburb, police say
ZION, Ill. -- A 38-year-old man was fatally shot by police while allegedly carrying a BB gun and taking photographs of schools in a Chicago suburb on Wednesday, authorities said.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office on Thursday identified the man as Charles J. Hollstein of Zion. Authorities say Hollstein was wearing a tactical-style vest when he was shot dead Wednesday.
Officers responded around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday to a report of a suspicious person photographing two schools in Zion: Lakeview Elementary School and a new campus of Zion-Benton High School. Investigators found Hollstein, who ran off, and officers caught up to him a few blocks away and said a struggle ensued.
Investigators searched the man's home to find out why he may have been taking pictures of the school and at least seven schools went on lock down during the incident, according to CBS Chicago.
Lake County Sheriff's Detective Christopher Covelli said authorities learned the body armor Hollstein wore was a homemade tactical-style vest with metal inserts, according to the station.
Hollstein was pronounced dead at a hospital.
A source close to the investigation told CBS Chicago that Hollstein was shot in the back and that one officer tried to use a Taser, which was ineffective. They did not say how many shots were fired, according to the station. Two officers involved in the shooting have reportedly been placed on paid leave.
According to CBS Chicago, police records show Hollstein was treated at the Elgin Mental Health facility after entering an insanity plea to misdemeanor charges for domestic battery and drug possession in 2004. He was treated until 2007, according to arrest records.
Hollstein's father said his son had some mental health issues.
"He was a likeable sort of a boy, but I had my issues with him," Charles Hollstein told CBS Chicago. "He didn't want to do what I told him to do, and he got into trouble.
"He made a bad decision yesterday morning obviously, and it cost him his life."