Sheriff's Sniper Fired After Investigation Into Fatal Bank Shooting

ROMEOVILLE, IL — Six months after a grand jury decided against filing charges in the Will County sniper shooting death of a man who was surrendering to police, the Will County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Lt. John Allen has been fired.

Allen fatally shot Gregory Walker, 65, of Crest Hill as he surrendered with his hands up at Romeoville's Fifth Third Bank on Weber Road on May 10, 2022.

In a statement shared with Patch, Will County Sheriff's Office spokesman Kevin Hedemark said, "Following an internal investigation conducted by an independent third party, the Will County Sheriff’s Office has terminated the employment of Lieutenant John Allen in connection with an incident that occurred in Romeoville, Illinois, in May 2022. The termination became effective on July 23, 2025."

Romeoville police in 2022 said that Walker, armed with a gun, went into the bank and demanded that police be called. Police said Walker had taken hostages inside the bank, but that he released them after negotiations with Romeoville officers. Police also said hostages told officials that “multiple” shots were fired inside the bank, and surveillance video showed that Walker had fired several gunshots into the ceiling, but that no bank employees were hurt.

Police from Romeoville and Will County Sheriff's Department responded to the bank, including a crisis negotiator from Romeoville's police force. Allen also responded as one of several Will County Sheriff's SWAT snipers deployed around the Romeoville bank and, according to a lawsuit filed by Walker's sister, Allen "took up a position in proximity to the bank which allowed him to see the front door to the bank."

In a surveillance video released in January 2025 by Illinois State Police, after Walker began to surrender to the Will County Sheriff's SWAT team and Romeoville police waiting outside, he entered the vestibule of the bank. He can be seen complying with the police's orders. Walker showed the police he was no longer armed with his handgun. He also knelt down and put both of his hands behind his back, and then he slowly got up and approached the exit door of the bank. When he went to open the exit door, Will County Sheriff's Lt. John Allen immediately shot Walker once in the chest with his sniper rifle. He was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Also in January, Will County State's Attorney Jim Glasgow's office said that after a long investigation, a grand jury decided not to charge Allen in connection with the shooting.

Earlier this year, Allen's attorney told Patch that his client absolutely did not intend to kill Walker, and suggested the shooting may have been caused by a rifle malfunction, calling it an "unexplained discharge."

In June, Walker's sister settled her lawsuit against the Will County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff's Lt. John Allen for $2.75 million. In 2023, her attorney told Joliet Patch, "Mr. Walker was a Black man shot dead by a white officer without any justification."

Related:

• SWAT Sniper Won't Be Charged In 2022 Bank Shooting Death
• Rifle Malfunction By Sheriff's Sniper May Have Caused Fatal Shooting: Lawyer
• $2.75 Million Settlement: Will County Sheriff's Sniper Killed Surrendering Man
• Patch Appeals FOIA Denial In Sniper Shooting To AG's Office
• Video Of Surrendering Man Killed By Will Co. Sniper Won't Be Released