Des Plaines police on Friday released the body-camera footage of a man brandishing an ax and approaching an officer before he was fatally wounded by police in May.
A 55-year-old man, identified as Scott J. MacDonald, was possibly suffering a psychotic episode when he approached a Des Plaines officer the night of May 24, officials said.
When police received a call to respond to the 1400 block of Thacker Street to assist paramedics, they were advised a man was breaking things and possibly having a breakdown, and could have an ax or machete, officials said.
Four officers arrived and proceeded down the hall to MacDonald’s unit, and as they approached, the lead officer stepped into the stairwell when MacDonald exited his unit with a raised ax. Officers gave commands to drop the ax, but he refused and the lead officer discharged his weapon, officials said.
After the shooting, officers provided medical help until paramedics arrived. MacDonald was later pronounced dead at a hospital, officials said.
/Body-camera/ Bodycam footage of the fatal shooting was released to the public on Friday.
The officer who shot MacDonald was placed on paid administrative duty. He has been an officer since February 2021.
