Bureau County has appointed a special prosecutor to review the investigation into the death of a 3-year-old DePue boy who was shot by a police officer responding to a hostage situation early Sunday.
The Bureau County State’s Attorney’s Office said that the prosecutor, a member of the Special Prosecutor Unit of the Illinois State’s Attorney’s Appellate Prosecutor’s Office, will review the investigation being conducted by Illinois State Police into the death of Damian Camacho in the early morning hours of May 10. The move was done at the request of State’s Attorney Daniel Anderson as a way to reassure Damian’s family that the results of the state police investigation would be reviewed by an independent agency to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Damian was killed when police entered a home in the 2700 block of East Street in rural Bureau County to respond to a hostage situation. Police said he and others were being held against their will by 42-year-old Anthony Rodriguez of Princeton. The Bureau County Sheriff’s Office said that multiple attempts to get Rodriguez to leave or free the hostages failed, and they were forced to enter the home.
While entering the home, officers fired shots toward Rodriguez and Damian, striking both. Damian was transported to OSF HealthCare St. Clare Medical Center in Princeton, according to the Bureau County Coroner’s Office.
Rodriguez was also hospitalized before he was charged with three counts of aggravated unlawful restraint, two counts of domestic battery and another count of aggravated assault in connection with the incident. Court documents obtained by the Journal Star indicate that he had detained three people, including Damian, at knifepoint while refusing to allow them to leave a bedroom at the home.
Rodriguez is also accused of threatening to kill one of the hostages, spraying one of them with bleach and shoving a bedroom door against another person at the home.
The state’s attorney’s office will continue to prosecute the case against Rodriguez that led to Damian’s death, with arraignment set for Friday. Rodriguez is currently being held at the Bureau County Jail.
GoFundMe set up for Damian Camacho
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Damian Camacho’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 Thursday afternoon, over $9,600 had been raised toward a $10,000 goal.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Special prosecutor to review police shooting of 3-year-old boy in Bureau County
Reporting by Zach Roth, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
