Peoria Police Shooting Ruled as ‘Justified’ in Suicide by Cop Case
After ShotSpotter alerts logged gunshots in the area, police encountered Richmond and used deadly force against him when he allegedly raised his weapon and pointed it at the officers.
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A fatal shooting of a man by Peoria, Illinois police officers has been deemed “justified” by Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos, Andy Kravetz reports for the Journal Star. Hoos said in a statement that the man, Samuel Vincent Richmond, acted in a way that left officers with “no choice but to use deadly force,” resulting in what is often referred to as a “suicide by cop” scenario.
After ShotSpotter alerts logged gunshots in the area, police encountered Richmond and used deadly force against him when he allegedly raised his weapon and pointed it at the officers. Hoos said Richmond made multiple comments about suicide and left a note referencing his plan to “go now to rest at peace.” Richmond’s family has challenged the findings, questioning the details that led up to the use of force that killed him.
“The course of conduct engaged in by the officers that resulted in the death of Samuel Vincent Richmond was legally justified, reasonable and necessary to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Illinois and themselves from death or great bodily harm,” Hoos said.
EDIT: An original version of this summary erroneously attributed this news to Peoria, Arizona, rather than Peoria, Illinois. We regret the error.
