Police shoot chainsaw-wielding man in St. Charles, Illinois

Police in Illinois have decided not to charge an officer who fatally shot a man at a nursing home last December. The decision came after authorities released bodycam footage of the incident involving 41-year-old Daniel H. Escalera. The video shows Escalera revving a chainsaw while he was surrounded by elderly residents at the River Glen nursing home in St. Charles. A caller reported that he had entered the building with the chainsaw. When police arrived, they ordered him to drop the weapon. Instead, Escalera started the chainsaw. One officer used a taser on Escalera, but he quickly got back up and charged at the officer. Initially, the officer fired shots that missed. As the two collided, the chainsaw fell to the ground. Escalera was shot in the arm while trying to run away. He then turned towards the police as if he had a firearm, leading to a fatal shot from the officer. A toxicology report later revealed that Escalera had drugs in his system at the time of his death, including amphetamines and medication for schizophrenia. Prosecutors stated that the officer acted reasonably to protect himself and others from potential harm. There is currently no information on why Escalera, who had a criminal record, was at the nursing home.