Editor’s Note: The above video could be considered shocking or disturbing to the viewer. Viewer discretion is advised.
Authorities have released bodycam videos showing the moment a 47-year-old man was fatally shot after he tried breaking into his mother’s home and fired shots at police.
The Zion Police Department responded around 6:20 p.m. on September 8 to a 911 call from a woman reporting that her son, George Franklin, 47, of Zion, was attempting to break into her residence.
The incident occurred in the 2800 block of Ezra Avenue in Zion and the woman told dispatchers she had an order of protection against Franklin.
Police officers responded and arrived within minutes of the call, Lake County Major Crime Task Force Spokesman Christopher Covelli said.
Two Zion police officers arrived and located the man near the back door of the residence.
When officers began speaking to Franklin, he produced a firearm, turned and faced the officers with the firearm, Covelli said.
Franklin refused to drop the firearm when ordered and began firing shots.
The officers retreated and did not fire their weapons. Franklin ran approximately one block west with the firearm.
A third Zion police officer encountered Franklin as he attempted to cross Gabriel Avenue.
The officer verbally engaged Franklin from a distance and told him to drop the gun, police said.
Franklin refused to drop the gun and numerous shots were exchanged in two separate volleys of gunfire, police said.
Several officers convened and used a shield before approaching the man, who was down on the ground after being shot.
The man’s firearm, a revolver, was recovered within inches of his right hand, police said.
Covelli said officers attempted lifesaving efforts and Franklin was transported to Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan where he was pronounced dead.
None of the officers were shot during the incident. The officer who shot the man was transported to an area hospital for evaluation.
Officers recovered five spent bullet casings from Franklin’s gun.
Covelli said it was determined the mother of Franklin did have an order of protection against her son but he had not yet been served with the order.
The Lake County Major Crime Task Force was called to the scene to conduct an independent investigation into the shooting.
Covelli said task force investigators and evidence technicians processed the scene and conducted interviews.
The results of the investigation will be turned over to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office to review.
Dashcam video and bodycam videos were released Tuesday by the Zion Police Department.
The department also released a portion of the 911 call made by Franklin’s mother.