ST. CHARLES, Ill. (CBS) — Police in St. Charles shot and killed a man Sunday morning who they said tried to attack officers and residents of a nursing home with a chainsaw.
Sunday evening was quiet at the River Glen of St. Charles residential facility, at 975 N. 5th Ave. in the western suburbs of Chicago. But that wasn’t the case in the morning, when police had the entire facility locked down.
Late Sunday, police said the threat was over — and families said they had no problem leaving their loved ones in a place they call home.
The call was about a shirtless man wielding a chainsaw and trying to cut down a tree, police said.
But just before police arrived, witnesses said the man entered the lobby of the assisted living center and threatened residents with the chainsaw. After police arrived and tried to de-escalate the situation, the man continued to try to attack residents with the chainsaw and threaten officers, police said.
Officers used a Taser on the man, but he did not stop, police said. An officer then shot the man.
Police tried to save the man’s life, but he was later pronounced dead at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital in Geneva, police said.
The man’s name was being withheld late Sunday pending family notification.
Back at the River Glen of St. Charles, residents and officers were treated for minor injuries.
Hours later, CBS News Chicago went into the assisted living facility to talk to employees about what happened. The door to the lobby was locked and there was no security.
Several residents were sitting in the lobby when CBS News Chicago visited. They said hello and seemed to be in a good mood.
An employee at the facility said all residents and employees were safe late Sunday, and employees thanked responding officers for their actions.
The Illinois State Police are investigating the use of force by St. Charles police, as per protocol. Illinois State Police said they will turn all reports over to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office following their investigation.
Late Sunday it was still unclear who the man with the chainsaw was, and whether he had any connection to the retirement home. His name has not been released.
