Winnebago County State’s Attorney J. Hanley announced Thursday that police officers have been cleared of criminal charges in the shooting of an armed man outside an Illinois casino, according to a 10-page report.
After reviewing the investigation by the Winnebago Boone Integrity Task Force, Hanley determined that the use of deadly force by three officers was justified and no criminal charges will be filed in this case.
After Bradley J. Thompkins, 51, was shot multiple times by police and subsequently succumbed to his injuries, an investigation was initiated.
Illinois casino in Rockford was the site of the shooting
The event occurred on May 28, 2022 at the Hard Rock Rockford Casino. Security footage from inside the establishment reveals that Thompkins engaged in nearly four hours of gambling and heavy drinking before being denied further alcohol purchases.
After being banned from the casino for 24 hours, Thompkins warned security that if police were to follow him, he would “shoot them all” before leaving.
Thompkins initially left but came back after about 20 minutes. Upon his return, he was stopped by the police. Thompkins got out of his vehicle with a black handgun pressed to his head, and he repeatedly asked the officers to shoot him. In the course of the encounter, Thompkins removed the gun from his head, aimed it at the sky, and discharged one round.
Despite the officers’ continued efforts to de-escalate the situation, Thompkins became emotional and stood up, removing the gun from his head and pointing it at the officers to his left.
At that moment, sheriff’s deputy Giorgi Arbisi discharged his firearm 10 times. Rockford police officer Jordan Black fired a single round from his rifle, while officer Dion Embry fired six shots. All three officers stated that they were concerned for their safety and the well-being of the public.
Thompkins sustained three gunshot wounds to his midsection. Tragically, just over a month later on June 30, he succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office has made public a video of the incident captured by police body cameras. Viewers should be warned that the content of the video may be disturbing to some.
Why the use of deadly force was acceptable in this case
Hanley concluded:
In order to prosecute for first or second degree murder, it must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the officers were not justified in using deadly force against Thompkins.
Additionally, he stated that Deputy Arbisi, Officer Black, and Officer Embry had valid reasons to believe that it was necessary to shoot Thompkins.
- Thompkins had a gun in his possession.
- Thompkins did not comply with several orders to relinquish his weapon.
- Thompkins persisted in advancing towards Deputy Arbisi despite being instructed to retreat.
- Officers and civilians were near each other.
- Thompkins fired a single shot into the air to show that he was both willing and able to use his gun.
- Thompkins aimed his gun at the officers to his east.
Haney wrote that Deputy Arbisi, Officer Black, and Officer Embrey’s belief that shooting Thompkins was necessary to protect themselves and others from great bodily harm was reasonable, considering all the circumstances.
