A Princeton man has been charged with aggravated unlawful restraint, domestic battery and aggravated assault after a hostage situation that led to a child dying early Sunday morning.
Anthony D. Rodriguez, 42, has been charged with three counts of aggravated unlawful restraint, two counts of domestic battery and another count of aggravated assault in connection with a hostage situation that led to a child being killed by a police officer after they entered a home in the 2700 block of East Street in rural Bureau County on May 10.
According to charging documents obtained from the Bureau County Circuit Clerk’s Office, Rodriguez is accused of detaining three people while holding them at knifepoint and refused to allow them to leave a bedroom at the home, threatening to kill one of them. He is also accused of spraying one of them with bleach and shoving a bedroom door against another person at the home.
The Bureau County Sheriff’s Office said previously that multiple efforts had been made to get Rodriguez to leave or allow the others to leave without success. Eventually, officers decided to enter the home after determining that those inside were in imminent danger.
Officers fired shots while entering the home, which ended up striking Rodriguez and the child. Both were transported to a local hospital, where the child was pronounced dead.
As of Wednesday afternoon, officials have not released the child’s age and identity.
The sheriff’s office said that further charges may be pending against Rodriguez. He is currently being held at the Bureau County Jail awaiting a first appearance in court.
Illinois State Police is investigating the shooting of Rodriguez and the child, with the findings being turned over to the Bureau County State’s Attorney’s Office at its conclusion.
GoFundMe set up for child killed in Princeton
A GoFundMe page has been set up for the child’s funeral expenses, with his aunt, Cindy Almanza, saying that he was the “sweetest, happiest” child, who didn’t deserve to die in such a manner.
“His smile could light up any room, and he brought so much joy to everyone who knew him,” Almanza said. “Losing someone so young is something no family should ever have to experience, and the pain we feel is indescribable.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, $8,352 had been raised toward a $10,000 goal.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Princeton man charged in hostage situation that led to child’s death
Reporting by Zach Roth, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
