A police officer in Oak Park, Illinois, fatally shot a man during a confrontation over a firearm at a traffic stop late Sunday, authorities reported.
The incident unfolded around 9:10 p.m. when an officer stopped a black SUV near the intersection of Harrison Street and Austin Boulevard, according to police statements.
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The SUV was driven by Christian Wallace, a 38-year-old resident of Oak Park, who was alone in the vehicle at the time, as later confirmed by the medical examiner.
Police noted that the officer requested Wallace to exit the vehicle and subsequently conducted a pat-down search.
During this search, the officer discovered a concealed weapon on Wallace, police stated.
Wallace was able to grab the gun, after a struggle for control of it, police said.
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That’s when the officer shot Wallace with his service weapon, police said.
Oak Park police rendered aid until Wallace was taken to Loyola University Medical Center. Wallace died just before 10 p.m., police said.
The officer was also taken to Loyola for injuries he suffered during the incident, but was released Monday morning.
A gun with a defaced serial number was found at the scene, police said.
The Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation.
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