MACOMB, Ill. — More details have been released after police responded to a domestic violence incident in Macomb Saturday night, in which one officer discharged their weapon.
Shortly after 10 p.m. on March 16, officers with the Macomb Police Department responded to the 900 block of N. Charles Street — near the Western Illinois University campus — for an active domestic violence incident. According to a press release, police noticed blood in a common area of the complex and forcibly entered the unit after hearing screams from inside.
Police found a 36-year-old female with multiple stab wounds and several visible injuries inside the apartment. Police also observed a male suspect armed with a knife in the apartment. According to the release, the suspect was told multiple times to drop the weapon but refused to comply. Still armed, the suspect went into a room and briefly disappeared out of sight for the officers before returning into view. Police say that is when a police officer fired one shot, killing the suspect. The entire event unfolded within seconds, the release says.
Police also discovered a child dead in the apartment. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday to determine the nature and scope of the child's injuries.
The injured woman was transported to a local hospital, according to police. During a press conference Monday, Macomb Police Chief Jeff Hamer said he was not able to share updates on the condition of the injured woman. Hamer also said they were not yet identifying the child nor the suspect who died due to the ongoing Illinois State Police (ISP) investigation.
The incident is under investigation by the ISP and the McDonough County State's Attorney. Two officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation, the department says. An autopsy has been scheduled with the county coroner.
News 8 has reached out to WIU's Office of Public Safety to see if students were alerted on the incident but has yet to hear back.