Peoria police chief says man fatally shot was armed; 4 officers placed on leave

Peoria police Chief Eric Echevarria said Tuesday that four officers involved in a fatal shooting Monday were placed in a life-threatening situation where deadly force had to be used.

Echevarria said officers responded to a one-round ShotSpotter alert in the 700 block of Hurlburt Street in South Peoria at about 10:06 p.m. Monday. While on the scene, they heard another shot fired nearby, he said.

An officer then went to the area of Martin Luther King Jr. Park to investigate, Echevarria said. There, the officer encountered a man later identified as Samuel V. Richmond of Peoria. The chief said the man was armed.

Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said Richmond was pronounced dead at the scene. The 59-year-old suffered multiple gunshot wounds throughout his body, according to the coroner.

Four separate officers were involved in the shooting and discharged their firearms, Echevarria said. Despite life-saving measures by Peoria police, Peoria Fire Department and AMT personnel, Richmond died from his injuries, the chief said.

Per department policy and procedures, all four officers were placed on administrative leave. The Illinois State Police were conducting an investigation. No officers were injured in the shooting.

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It was the first deadly officer-involved shooting in the city of Peoria since Echevarria took over the Police Department in 2021.

"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. "Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Mr. Richmond."

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria police chief says man fatally shot was armed