Deadly Force 'Only Option' In DeCynthia Clements Shooting: Report

ELGIN, IL — A 300-page investigative report into the Elgin police officer-involved shooting of 34-year-old DeCynthia Clements was released Tuesday by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, and was obtained by the Daily Herald through the submission of a FOIA request. According to the Daily Herald, the report claims Elgin Police Department Lt. Chris Jensen told investigators the use of deadly force was the only option when he fatally shot a woman (DeCynthia), who was armed with two knives, because "he could not wait to determine if the Taser would be effective" as he and other officers were "so close." In February, the state's attorney's office announced it would not pursue criminal charges against Jensen, the Daily Herald reported.

According to the report, Jensen told a supervisor he and the others "did everything they could" to avoid shooting Clements on March 12, 2018. The Daily Herald said according to the report, Sgt. Jim Lalley, the supervisor who had assumed command after the shooting, said "he assured Jensen that he did everything right."

However, on Tuesday, the news source said Clements' father, Charles Clements, questioned why police couldn't rely on Tasers, adding, "She was 90 pounds and they shot three shots, two to her head and one to her chest. I don't know how you can look at it very different."

Elgin Police Department Chief Lalley released a statement Wednesday morning, regarding the report:

"Good morning everyone. The Daily Herald published an article today on the Illinois State Police investigation report involving the officer-involved shooting of DeCynthia Clements.

A professional standards investigation being conducted by an independent firm, Hillard Heintze, is still in progress. The police department has been withholding the public release of the Illinois State Police report to maintain the highest degree of integrity during this internal investigation.

The police department will not be releasing the contents of the Illinois State Police report until Hillard Heintze’s independent investigation has been completed. The police department will also refrain from commenting on the Illinois State Police report until the findings from the Hillard Heintze independent investigation have been presented to the city council and the public.

Thank you for your patience and understanding."

More Patch coverage:

• City Still Divided Over I-90 Police-Involved Shooting
  
• Attorneys Question Police Tactics Used In Deadly Shooting on I-90
• Veteran Elgin Cop Shot Woman Following I-90 Standoff: Police
• WATCH: Press Conference On Elgin Officer-Involved Shooting

The shooting occurred along Interstate 90 early that Monday after police first allegedly made contact with Clements at about 12:34 a.m. when they spotted her in a "suspicious vehicle" in the area of Cedar Avenue in Elgin. She then fled the scene, Elgin Police Department Chief Jeffrey Swoboda said in a press conference.

Officers attempted to get her to stop her vehicle, but eventually ended their chase. A short time later, officers spotted the vehicle on westbound Interstate 90 near Route 25. It had "obvious damage," Swoboda said.

Officers made contact with the woman and saw she was armed with a knife. They then "disengaged from the vehicle" and attempted to negotiate with the woman for more than an hour.

During that time, the woman periodically moved her car several feet, Swoboda said. When officers noticed a fire that had started inside the vehicle, they approached it to rescue the woman. "There was an exchange, which we are still investigating, during which the officer discharged their weapon," Swoboda said. The woman was taken to St. Alexius Hospital in Hoffman Estates, where she was pronounced dead.

At the time of the shooting, Lt. Jensen was a 19-year Elgin Police Department veteran and current SWAT team member.