Coroner IDs Man Fatally Shot By Aurora PD, Police Release Bodycam Photos

AURORA, IL — The man killed in an Aurora police officer-involved shooting Wednesday was identified Thursday, and Aurora police have shared still images from police body camera showing moments leading up to the shooting.

The Kane County Coroner's Office identified the man as 19-year-old Christopher Lepe, of Aurora.

The coroner conducted an autopsy on Wednesday after Rush Copley Medical Center notified the office of the man's death. The cause and manner of Lepe's death remain under investigation, and toxicology samples were collected and sent for further forensic analysis, the office said in an update Thursday.

Thursday evening, the Aurora Police Department released two body camera still images showing Lepe stepping out of his car. Police edited the picture to circle what appeared to be a gun in his hands and point to the suspect.

"While the independent review of the March 19 officer involved shooting continues, Aurora police remain committed to releasing videos, still images and other pertinent information as the investigation allows," police officials said in a news release Thursday.

RELATED: Aurora Police Fatally Shoot Aggravated Battery Suspect: PD

Lepe's family and protestors gathered outside the Aurora Police Department Thursday evening to hold a candlelight vigil for the teenager. According to a report from the Daily Herald, Lepe's family had not yet been permitted to see his body.

Lepe was shot after 1:30 a.m. near South Broadway and Hazel Avenue. Aurora police got involved in the incident after officers responded to a mutual aid request to help locate a person wanted in connection with aggravated battery to a Geneva police officer, Patch reported.

Geneva police said the incident began when an officer noticed a suspicious car parked at 1:28 p.m. in the 1500 block of South Randall Road. Officials said that when police approached him, believing he may have been intoxicated, the man started the car and drove away, dragging the officer with the car.

The Geneva officer was seriously injured, the department said in a news release, and was transported to Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.

The driver fled the area, and Geneva police passed his vehicle description and license plate to neighboring agencies.

Aurora officers made an attempt to stop the driver, but he fled, and a chase ensued. Officers later stopped the driver by deploying stop sticks, and when attempted to make contact, he "displayed a weapon, and two Aurora police officers discharged their firearms at the driver," officials said in their initial news release.

Both officers have been placed on administrative leave, as is standard protocol for officer-involved deaths. The Kane County Major Crimes Task Force is leading the investigation into the shooting.