Man Wielding 'Samurai Sword' Fatally Shot By Police: Officials

DEKALB, IL — Police shot and killed a man as he approached officers with a Samurai sword Monday morning, officials said.

DeKalb police responded to a 911 call from a woman who said a man inside her home had been drinking and threatened to kill her with a samurai sword, officials said in a statement. The call came from the 100 block of Tilton Park Drive at around 2:45 a.m.

When officers arrived, they found a "frantic" woman in the backyard of the home. She indicated the man inside was a danger to himself and had "self-inflicted wounds to his wrist."

Officers got the woman safely away from the house and then made multiple attempts to contact the man, authorities said.

Police said the man finally agreed to speak with them, but once he opened the door he grabbed the sword and "advanced toward officers with the weapon over his head and pointed at officers," police said.

Officials said officers used a stun gun and a bean bag round on the man while he continued to refuse their orders to drop the weapon. An officer then shot the man in the upper torso.

The man was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity had not been released as of Wednesday morning while officials worked to notify family members.

Police did not immediately respond to questions on the relationship between the man and woman in the house.

Illinois State Police are conducting an investigation into the shooting, and the officer involved will be placed on administrative duties while the investigation continues, state police told Patch.