Video Shows Man Grab Illinois Officer's Gun, Shoot Himself
By The Pantagraph, Bloomington, Ill. (TNS)
CHARLESTON, Illinois — The Illinois State Police have released video from body-worn and dash cameras that appears to show Eastern Illinois University student Yahacov Dennis grabbing an officer's firearm from its holster and then shooting himself with it.
State police, who were contacted by the Charleston Police Department, have been investigating this officer-involved fatal shooting that occurred early Saturday. The agency released the footage on Thursday morning.
"In accordance with ISP’s commitment to integrity and public transparency, the video of the event is being made available to the public." It can be found at youtu.be/amt5filjzqQ, the state police said in a news release. Please note that the video contains graphic imagery.CHARLESTON, Illinois -- Charleston police previously reported the incident had begun with Dennis calling 911 to request assistance while he was at a gas station.
The footage shows three Charleston officers talking with Dennis, 22, of Country Club Hills while he is standing next to his vehicle at the far west gas pump at the Lambo's service station, 200 W. Lincoln Ave., about a block from EIU's campus.
While footage from the dashboard camera does not include audio, Dennis can be heard speaking to officers on footage from their body-worn cameras.
In the footage, Dennis verbally indicates to the officers that he is "too high" from smoking cannabis that he believed was laced, probably from PCP. Officers ask him questions about what he might have taken, saying they will share the information with paramedics.
"We're just trying to get you some help right now," one officer says.
Dennis later leans backward against the gas pump and two officers try to keep him upright. The video appears to then show Dennis grab the firearm from one of these officers and shoot himself in the side of the head.
Officers subsequently called emergency medical personnel to the scene as they began checking on Dennis' condition, according to a news release from ISP. He was ultimately taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, where the Champaign County Coroner's Office later reported Dennis died at 10:34 a.m. Saturday.
The family of Dennis had been seeking the release of the police footage since the shooting to help answer their questions about what occurred during the incident.
"ISP provided Dennis’ family the opportunity to review the video before its release to the public," state police said.
Family members took part in memorial vigils for Dennis that were held Wednesday evening at EIU, which closed classes for the day so students could take part in remembrance and wellness activities.
"This video is being released after consultation with and authorization by the Coles County State’s Attorney," ISP reported. "This remains an ongoing investigation being conducted by ISP and is under review by the Coles County State’s Attorney’s Office. No additional information is available at this time."
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