Request in wake of Decatur shooting: ‘We ask for togetherness’

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By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

One Decatur man is in critical condition after he was shot by a Decatur police officer early Monday morning.

Details are very scarce, although the department did say the man was armed with a handgun and a large knife strapped to his wrist.

Decatur Interim Police Chief James Getz, Janelle Norman of the group called Area Leaders and Education Response Team, and other officers and area leaders, came together for a press conference Monday morning and they had one request for area residents: to stay calm and let the officials in charge do their job with the investigation. Norman spoke toward the end of the press conference.

“We ask for calmness, understanding until all facts are known and we ask for togetherness. We know that trust may be an issue, however, we, the ALERT team, are here to ensure the process is properly followed. Let’s show our community and the nation that Decatur will remain calm during these turbulent times in the nation and around the world,” Norman said.

Illinois State Police is in charge of this investigation and we will bring you updates as they become available.