Man Who Fired 70 Round At Batavia Police Died Of Self-Inflicted Gunshot: State's Attorney

BATAVIA, IL — The death of a man accused of firing more than 70 rounds at Batavia police with an AR-15 was self-inflicted, according to authorities. Kane County State's Attorney Jamie Mosser concluded her review into the officer-involved incident on Aug. 16 that led to 39-year-old Michael J. Seidelman's death, finding no rounds fired by law enforcement struck the man, she said Tuesday evening.

Seidelman died in an apartment in the 1200 block of East Wilson Street in Batavia. Mosser called the shooting a "critical incident," saying he shot at law enforcement officers, who fired back. But it was ultimately a self-inflicted gunshot wound that killed Seidelman, the state's attorney determined.

Batavia police were called at about 3:45 p.m. that Saturday to the second-floor apartment for a 911 call about a person, later identified as Seidelman, harming himself and potentially in a mental health crisis.

When officers tried to make contact with the man, they heard two children screaming inside the apartment. Since police were unable to open the door, they helped the children exit through the apartment's balcony, officials said.

Deputies from the Kane County Sheriff's Office then arrived on the scene, and the suspect began firing an AR-15 at officers from the apartment, so one Batavia officer and two sheriff's deputies discharged their weapons, Mosser said.

No rounds fired by law enforcement hit Seidelman, who shot over 70 rounds in and outside the apartment, according to the state's attorney.

Officers heard a final shot at about 4 p.m., according to Mosser. SWAT members entered the apartment about 30 minutes later to find Seidelman dead, she said.

Mosser determined the officers' "use of force in firing towards the suspect was justified because the officers would have had a reasonable belief that they and others in the vicinity were in danger of suffering great bodily harm or death."

An autopsy revealed the man died from a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, Mosser said.

Following Mosser's review, the case was turned over to the Batavia Police Department for any continued investigation.

This is what Mosser wrote in a statement about the case: "I commend the officers of the Batavia Police Department and the Kane County Sheriff’s Office for their swift and decisive actions that moved two children out of harm’s way. Their commitment to protecting the other apartment residents and their fellow officers was exemplary. I also thank the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force for their thorough investigation into this incident. Finally, while we recognize the courage of the officers, we must also acknowledge the profound loss experienced by Mr. Seidelman's family. My heart goes out to them in this difficult time."

An obituary for Seidelman said he lived in Waterman, worked as an Amazon delivery driver and was survived by his two sons, along with other family.