A juvenile is dead following a hostage situation Sunday.
Bureau County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a domestic disturbance in the 2700 block of East Street in a rural area of Bureau County around 2:42 a.m. − with officers from the Princeton Police Department, Depue Police and Ladd Police also responding. Illinois State Police troopers assisted with providing perimeter security.
Responding officers were advised that an armed suspect was holding several people hostage, including juveniles. It was believed the suspect was armed with a knife, according to Bureau County Sheriff James Reed.
“Multiple efforts were made by the responding officers to get the armed individual to exit the room or allow the release of the other individuals,” the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
De-escalation attempts failed, the press release said, and officers on scene heard screaming. This and information from the 911 call led officers to believe the family was “in imminent danger.”
Officers entered the residence, fired shots and struck the suspect and one juvenile.
ISP officers entered the residence after shots were fired to assist with providing medical aid. The suspect and juvenile were transported to a local hospital, where the juvenile was pronounced deceased.
The suspect, who is being treated for his injuries, has been charged with aggravated assault, aggravated unlawful restraint and domestic battery, according to the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office. Additional charges are possible moving forward.
ISP is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
“This is an active investigation and no further information is available at this time,” ISP said in a press release.
Once the investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Bureau County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.
(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Update: Hostage situation leaves a juvenile dead near Princeton, Illinois
Reporting by Mike Kramer and Cassidy Waigand, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
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