Apparently Suicidal Man Killed By Police After Pointing Guns
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Police shot and killed a man who was apparently suicidal overnight at the Western Avenue Pink Line 'L' stop, after he allegedly pointed two guns at them.
Police responded just before 8 p.m. to a report of a person with a gun in the 2000 block of South Western Avenue. They found a man at the CTA stop pointing a gun at his own head, police said.
Officers and a police sergeant tried to calm the apparently suicidal man, but the man in turn pulled out another gun and pointed both guns squarely at the officers, police said.
"(The officers said), 'Whatever the problem is, we'll try to help you resolve it,'" Chicago Fraternal Order of Police spokesman Camden said. "At that point, he produces a second weapon and points both weapons at the sergeant, putting the sergeant in fear for his life, leaving him no alternative but to open fire, as the other officers did on the individual."
The man -- identified as Frank Steponatis, 55, of the 2000 block of South Blue Island Avenue -- was pronounced dead at 8:40 p.m. at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.
Chicago Transit Authority spokesman Steve Mayberry said late Sunday the Pink Line's Western Avenue station remained closed, and 21st Street buses provided shuttle service until the line closes for the night. Western Avenue buses were re-routed in both directions, but resumed normal by 12:45 a.m. Monday.
Harrison Area detectives and the Independent Police Review Authority, which investigates all police-involved shootings, are investigating the incident.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
