Des Plaines Police Shoot Man With Axe - Was It Justified Legally Yes Necessary No

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Des Plaines, Illinois — On May 24, 2023, at 7:37 p.m., Des Plaines Police Department officers were dispatched to 1477 Thacker St. for an assist to Des Plaines Fire Paramedics. While enroute, officers were advised that the male subject, Scott J. MacDonald (55 years old) of Unit 302, was breaking things, possibly having a psychotic breakdown, and potentially had access to an axe or machete. Four officers arrived on the scene and proceeded down the hall toward MacDonald's condominium unit. As the officers approached MacDonald's unit, the leading officer had just stepped into the stairwell, when MacDonald unexpectedly exited his unit armed with an axe and began approaching the officers with the axe raised.

Officers gave verbal commands to drop the axe as the officers still in the hall retreated. The officer who shot MacDonald was the officer who had just stepped into the stairwell and was in close proximity to MacDonald when the officer discharged his duty weapon to stop MacDonald's advance. After the shooting occurred and when the scene was secured, the officers began providing emergency medical treatment until the paramedics arrived. MacDonald was later pronounced deceased at a local hospital. Officer Edwin Rios, the officer who discharged his weapon, has been with the Des Plaines Police Department since February of 2021. Per departmental policy, Officer Rios is on paid administrative leave.