Police Shoot 3-Year-Old During Bureau County Domestic Disturbance Response

DEPUE — A 3-year-old child died after being shot during a police response to a domestic disturbance involving a knife early Saturday in rural Depue, according to the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff James Reed said deputies responded around 2:45 a.m. to a report of a man armed with a knife who was barricaded in a room with multiple hostages. Deputies and officers from Depue, Ladd, Princeton and the Illinois State Police responded to the scene. Authorities said officers made several attempts to get the man to surrender or release the people inside. After hearing screaming and believing the family was in imminent danger, officers entered the room and shots were fired. The child and the suspect were struck during the encounter. The child was taken to a local hospital by Illinois State Police and Bureau County deputies and was later pronounced dead. The adult suspect was transported by ambulance to a hospital for treatment. Authorities said charges have been filed against the suspect for aggravated unlawful restraint, aggravated assault and domestic battery.