Elk Grove Village police release bodycam footage of fatal officer-involved shooting

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. - Elk Grove Village police have released bodycam footage of a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred earlier this month. However, attorneys representing the victim's family are questioning the release, calling the footage "self motivated."

The released video, made public on Monday, confirms initial reports that 24-year-old Jack Murray was armed with a knife as he approached officers near his home in the 200 block of Fern Drive on Dec. 1. Murray's family contends their loved one had a history of mental health issues and at the time of the incident was undergoing an "emotional disturbance" related to his Type 1 diabetes.

"Jack was only 24 years old and was just starting his life," said Murray's aunt, Liz Belcaster, at a news conference held a few days after the shooting. "He was challenged by his health issues, being a Type 1 diabetic. It's a very serious disease."

Murray's family maintains that their loved one called police several times previously when he felt his "health and wellness" were in danger.

The video contains graphic content. The edited clip begins with a 911 call from Murray. His speech is slurred and several of his responses to the dispatcher are inaudible.

Murray tells the dispatcher that someone at the residence had a knife, and that this person was "going to hurt someone." When the dispatcher asks if that person was him, he mumbles inaudibly.

The call ends and the dispatcher calls back. Murray’s father answers. He asks his son several times if he’s OK and if he needs anything, but Murray’s answers can’t be heard.

"I don’t know what’s going on," Murray’s father said on the call. "Jack, what’s wrong? Do you need help? It’s OK if you do."

The dispatcher then asks Murray’s father to step out of the house with everyone except his son. He refuses, saying, "He’s not violent right now." Murray later steps out of the house and his parents yell to police that he has a knife.

Later in the edited video, police body cameras show officers parking down the street. They say they are familiar with Murray. One officer directs others to prepare several nonlethal means — including stun guns, a beanbag rifle and a shield — along with at least one pistol.

Murray then limps down the block and raises a knife in the air, and the officers respond by deploying stun guns, though he continues toward them. About nine seconds later, at least five shots from two different guns can be heard as Murray drops to the ground and officers back away before handcuffing him and rendering medical assistance.

"It is our hope that providing more information about this incident will give everyone a better understanding of what took place and help in the process of healing," said Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson at the start of the video.

Attorneys for the Murray family released a statement saying it showed a "partial" version of the events. They also criticized the fact that one officer never used the bean bag rifle he was armed with as a nonlethal means of stopping Murray from approaching officers.

"Rather than send medical aid or social services, [Elk Grove Village] dispatched the full force of their Police Department and the outcome of Jack’s death was inevitable," the statement said.

The statement also criticized the short amount of time between officers deploying stun guns and shooting Murray.

"What we do know is what we already knew, and what we have maintained from the beginning," the statement said. "That day, Jack was physically injured, emotionally distressed, confused and slurring and not OK. … This situation is beyond sad, and we vigorously maintain that Jack did not need to die that day."

Barb Labellarte, a resident living near the incident location for 30 years, expressed her shock.

"We've never had anything like this ever before. It's a very quiet neighborhood. It's very family-oriented. We sit out here, we watch the baseball games. [This incident] is unsettling...everybody thinks it's not going to happen until it happens."

Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.