A police officer shot a man suspected of battery Thursday morning in downtown Evanston, a police department official said.
The suspect reportedly threatened the cop with a knife before the officer fired in self-defense, striking the assailant in the arm, Evanston Police Department Cmdr. Tom Guenther said.
Because police have not yet charged the wounded suspect with a crime, Guenther said he cannot disclose the individual’s name.
The incident took place after police responded to a 9:45 a.m. call regarding an alleged battery at the Davis Street El station, 1618 Benson Ave.
Upon arrival, officers obtained a description of the suspect and patrolled the area. The shooting occurred when one officer attempted to stop a man who matched the description.
“The officer then gave the suspect clear verbal commands to stop and that he needed to talk with him,” read a press release distributed by Guenther at 2:41 p.m. “Upon hearing this, the suspect turned toward the officer and produced a knife.”
The incident marked the third episode in a recent string of violent altercations between police and criminal suspects.
On Oct. 8, one Evanston cop was accidentally shot by another in the bicep while attempting to restrain a suspect. Less than two weeks later, two more officers required hospital treatment after breaking up an alleged drug deal.
