DECATUR - A 38-year-old armed robbery subject died on the operating table after being shot by a law enforcement officer on Monday, March 18, 2024. The man has been identified as Rocky L. Dupin. He was pronounced dead in the Decatur Memorial Hospital operating room at 5:45 p.m.
Per standard protocol, and in accordance with Illinois state law, the Illinois State Police were contacted to handle the investigation of this incident.
The officer-involved shooting took place around 4 p.m. Monday near 600 West Grand in Decatur.
Police reported Dupin was stopped by officers earlier in the afternoon, since his description matched an armed robbery suspect. A release from Decatur Police said that the suspect ignored commands from the officers and pulled a firearm from his coat during the encounter.
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Dupin was shot by two officers, who have since been placed on administrative duties. The officers were both members of the Community Action Team (CAT). Neither of the two officers was injured.
Decatur Police provided this statement on Tuesday afternoon about the situation:
"The subjects that were with the suspect when this incident occurred have been identified. They are not considered suspects in this case and are not considered a threat to the community. We appreciate the help from the community in identifying these individuals.
"On 3/18/24, at approximately 3:50 p.m., Decatur Police officers stopped three subjects at 600 W. Grand, one matching the description of an armed robbery suspect from an incident that happened prior to the stop. During the course of the encounter, the robbery suspect disobeyed commands and pulled a firearm from his coat, at which time two DPD officers fired their weapons, striking the suspect. The suspect was transported to DMH with serious injuries.
"The suspect is a white male in his late 30's/early 40's. A firearm was recovered at the scene from the suspect. After the shooting, the other subjects that were with the suspect fled the scene and officers are still searching for them. Neither officer involved was injured.
"This incident was captured on body-cam and in-car video.
"It is not believed there is an active threat to the community, however, we do ask that people stay away from the area as it is an active investigation."
This is preliminary information, thus facts are still being gathered. Further information will be released at a later time.
