Will County Deputy Shoots Lockport Township Teen Who Attacked Her With a Knife

A Will County Sheriff’s deputy shot a teenager who slashed her across the face as she and another officer responded to a domestic incident Thursday night in Lockport Township, police said.

According to Will County Sheriff's police, they got a call at 7:30 p.m. about a 17-year-old wielding a knife and threatening family members on Gaylord Road. Two deputies were allowed inside by a family member.

While there, a deputy, who has been on the force for only two years, spotted Jose Chavez in the hallway holding a knife. She and the other deputy "repeatedly ordered Chavez to drop the knife," but he refused, said Kathy Hoffmeyer, Will County Sheriff's Department spokesperson.

Chavez rushed the two deputies and attacked one with the knife. "The deputy sustained a serious laceration to her face. The same deputy discharged her service weapon one time, striking Chavez in the chest.'"

Although Chavez was wounded, according to the report, he ran from the residence and was ultimately restrained in the driveway by a Crest Hill police officer who also respoded to the call.

Family members said Chavez was "acting erratically" and threateningly toward relatives at the home, according to Hoffmeyer. 

Hoffmeyer said both Chavez and the deputy, whose identity was not released, were taken to Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet.  The two underwent surgery.

After undergoing a two-hour surgery to repair what Hoffmeyer described as a "serious laceration to her face," the deputy is expected to make a full recovery. Chavez remained in critical condition.

Will County Sheriff's Deputy Chief Ken Kaupas said, "The Sheriff's police have had contact in the past with Chavez during which Chavez was considered a juvenile. Tonight's behavior and attack may have been fueled by Chavez's use of drugs earlier in the evening."

Readers might like to view photos of the scene on the SunTimesMedia.  

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Police blotter information is provided by the Will County Sheriff's Department. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.