Investigation into officer-involved shooting in March in Macomb finds no basis for criminal action, prosecution

MACOMB, Ill. — An investigation by Jon Barnard with the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s Office into an officer-involved shooting in March with the Macomb Police Department did not come up with a basis for criminal action or prosecution.

Officers with the Macomb Police Department and Western Illinois University Police Department were dispatched to 915 N. Charles in Macomb at approximately 10 p.m. March 16 after 911 received multiple calls regarding a loud disturbance, which was determined to be a domestic violence situation.

During the incident, an officer with the Macomb Police Department fired a single shot which struck and killed both Anthony T. George, 57, and a minor.  The Macomb Police Department immediately notified the Illinois State Police of the officer-involved shooting and requested that they conduct all further investigations into this matter.

A press release from Matthew Kwacala, McDonough County State’s Attorney, said investigators from Illinois State Police Zone 4 performed a “complete and thorough” investigation of the matter, including collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and obtaining and reviewing body-worn camera footage from officers present during the incident. 

Because his office has frequent contact with the Macomb Police Department, Kwacala requested for the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s Office to conduct a formal review of the incident to determine if criminal charges were warranted against any of the involved law enforcement officers. 

“While my office does not represent the City of Macomb, Western Illinois University or any of their law enforcement officers, I believed it was important to have the case reviewed by the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s Office to dispel the appearance of any perceived conflict of interest between my office and the police agencies and officers involved,” Kwacala wrote in a press release.

Barnard wrote in a July 8 letter to Kwacala that he had determined no basis existed for criminal action or prosecution against any of the law enforcement officers involved in the incident.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the deceased and all others affected by this heartbreaking event,” Kwacala said.

Jeff Hamer, chief of the Macomb Police Department, said in a separate press release that the department’s internal investigation is underway. This process determines if the incident was within department policy, outside department policy or accidental. The course of this investigation also determines training in topics pertinent to the incident.

Hamer said the complete Illinois State Police investigation is now being made available to the Macomb Police Department. His will review the ISP investigative product, review videos, statements, reports and training records. Once completed, Hamer said the department will update the community.

Hamer also said the department intends to release body camera video of the incident after communicating with the families of the victims.