MACOMB, Ill. — Content warning: This story contains graphic and violent content that may be disturbing for viewers. Bodycam video of the incident has been placed at the bottom of the article. News 8 is making the footage available for public transparency.
Officials have released bodycam footage in a fatal March police shooting of a 4-year-old boy and adult suspect in Macomb. The bodycam is from the officer who fired the shot.
Shortly after 10 p.m. on March 16, police responded to the 900 block of N. Charles Street for an active domestic violence incident. According to information released in the bodycam video, multiple 911 reports were made and one person said they thought they heard gunshots.
Bodycam video shows police arriving at the apartment building at 10:11 p.m., where they are met by someone who ushers them inside and points upstairs. The officer then proceeds to the upstairs apartment and bodycam video shows blood smeared along the wall in the stairwell. The officer knocks on the apartment door and identifies himself as police twice, asking the occupants to open the door.
Screams for help can be heard from inside the apartment. According to the bodycam footage, a woman can be heard yelling, "He's stabbing me!" That's when the officer forced his way inside the apartment. The woman is then asked to leave the apartment and says, "My son..." before the audio becomes unintelligible. The officer then points his weapon at a male suspect — who has since been identified as 57-year-old Anthony George — and asks him to show his hands.
Within seconds, George can be seen ducking out of sight and returns holding the child in front of him. George is seen holding a knife around the boy's waist and another around his throat. That's when the officer can be seen firing one shot, which killed both the boy and George.
According to the video, officers began administering medical aid and called for medical personnel. Officials have said the 4-year-old boy and George were both pronounced deceased at the scene.
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.
McDonough County State's Attorney Matthew P. Kwacala said Macomb Police immediately contacted Illinois State Police to investigate the incident, which ISP concluded in early June. Kwacala then sent the investigation to the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s Office for an independent review, citing frequent contact with the Macomb Police Department.
"While my office does not represent the City of Macomb, Western Illinois University, or any of their law enforcement officers, I believed it was important to have the case reviewed by the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s Office to dispel the appearance of any perceived conflict of interest between my office and the police agencies and officers involved," Kwacala said in an email.
In early July, Special Prosecutor Jonathan H. Barnard determined "there is no basis for any criminal action or prosecution" against the officers involved.
