ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (AP) – A suburban Chicago police officer who shot to death a knife-wielding woman last year told investigators deadly force was his only option.
Elgin police Lt. Chris Jensen told the Illinois State Police’s public integrity task force he and other officers were so close to Decynthia Clements “he could not wait to determine if the Taser would be effective.”
Jensen’s comments are part of a 300-page investigative report done by state police and obtained Tuesday by the Daily Herald in Arlington Heights from the Cook County state’s attorney’s office
Clements was shot March 12, 2018, after a standoff on Interstate 90 during which she set her vehicle on fire. Although officers were prepared with stun guns and rubber bullets, Jensen fired his gun.
Clements’ father, Charles Clements, is questioning why police couldn’t rely on Tasers. He noted his daughter was weighed 90 pounds, yet was shot three times.
Jensen wasn’t charged in connection with the shooting.
