Here's what we know about the Peoria man killed by police
On Monday night, a Peoria man was shot and killed by police.
Peoria Police Department Chief Eric Echevarria released a statement about the shooting Tuesday night.
"While our officers are extremely dedicated to preserving life, unfortunately there are times when we are forced into deadly encounters, and (Monday) night was a clear example of that." Echevarria said.
Here's what we know about the man who was killed and the investigation to this point.
Who was the person who was killed by Peoria police?
Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood identified 59-year-old Samuel V. Richmond, of North Bergan Avenue, as the person who died in the police shooting.
Richmond, who went by his middle name, Vincent, earned the nickname "Meatman" by working in the butcher department at the Kroger store on Wisconsin Avenue for more than three decades. He was the father of eight, said his daughter Eterica Bradley.
"He was a great soul," she said. "Anybody that came in contact with him was going to have a better day. All he did was go to work and come home to his family. He was a family-loving, God-fearing man who loved his wife, kids and grandkids. He didn’t deserve this."
Though Richmond was retired from Kroger, he continued to work at Peoria International Airport as a custodian through Vonachen Services Inc. News of the shooting was a shock for airport staff, airport director Gene Olson said.
"We just couldn't believe it when we heard it," he said. "He was the guy who, when you saw him across the terminal, he would smile and wave. When he would come get the trash out of my office, we would chat for a couple minutes. He was just the nicest guy that you would ever want to meet."
Richmond was shot several times throughout his body, according to Harwood, and was pronounced dead at the scene.
More:Peoria man identified as person killed in encounter with police
What police say happened
The Peoria Police Department responded to a ShotSpotter alert from the 700 block of Hurlburt Street around 10:06 p.m. on Oct. 3, Echevarria said. When police were in the area, they heard a gunshot and received a separate ShotSpotter alert for the 800 block of West McBean Street around 10:11 p.m.
Echevarria said officers found Richmond with a firearm after heading into Martin Luther King Jr. Park to investigate the gunshot. This encounter led to the officers shooting and killing Richmond. No officers were injured.
Echevarria shared the department's condolences to Richmond's family, but he also said Richmond being armed put "officers in a life-threatening situation where deadly force had to be used."
More:Peoria police chief says man fatally shot was armed; 4 officers placed on leave
What happened to the police officers?
Four Peoria police officers shot at Richmond, according to the statement from Echevarria. The officers involved have since been placed on administrative leave, which aligns with the department's policies and procedures. The names of the officers have not been released.
What happens next?
Illinois State Police are investigating the shooting. Because the investigation is ongoing, no further details on the case could be provided.
While the state police are conducting the investigation into Richmond's death, Echevarria said the "Peoria Police Department is committed to providing an open and transparent investigation."
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Samuel Richmond police shooting: What we know about death of Peoria man
