MACOMB, Ill — The Illinois State's Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor has determined that the Macomb police officers involved in a fatal March 16 shooting that killed two people, including 4-year-old Terrell Miller, will not be charged.
In a letter to McDonough County State's Attorney Matthew Kwacala, Special Prosecutor Jonathan H. Barnard said that his office found no basis for any criminal action or prosecution. Barnard said that he reviewed police reports, audio and video recordings from the incident and training records before coming to the decision.
Back on Saturday, March 16 around 10 p.m., the Macomb Police Department responded to an apartment at the 900 block of N. Charles Street for an active domestic violence incident. According to a March 17 press release, police noticed blood in a common area of the complex and forcibly entered the unit after hearing screams from inside.
After reviewing body camera footage, evidence, witness interviews and autopsy reports, ISP findings said police encountered the suspect holding a knife before he ducked out of officers' view and emerged holding a 4-year-old boy as a human shield. Police say the suspect was holding a knife around the child's throat and another around his waist.
ISP says a Macomb officer fired one shot that killed both the child and the suspect, who was identified as 57-year-old Anthony George. McDonough County Coroner Eric Jameson told News 8 that there was no relation between the two.
Family members came forward later and identified the boy as 4-year-old Terrell Miller. He's remembered as a sweet kid who loved trains and Spider-Man. He was a miracle baby for his mom, who family members say had difficulties getting pregnant before Terrell. Those who knew him said he always had a big smile on his face.