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player ready...Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis announced that no criminal charges will be filed against two Oswego police officers who fired their weapons at an armed man during an August confrontation.
In a release announcing his decision, Weis called the officers’ actions warranted, justified and necessary to prevent what may have transpired.
“Based on the information contained in the investigation, I consider the matter to be closed and no charges will be filed,” Weis wrote.
The investigation stemmed from an Aug. 29 incident near Ashlawn Avenue and Lombardy Lane in Oswego involving Taylor Cano, 24.
Weis said after reviewing police reports, witness accounts, physical evidence, photos, 911 calls and statements made by Cano himself, he has formed an opinion about what happened that day.
According to Weis, Cano called 911 dispatchers on several occasions early on Aug. 29. In those conversations, Oswego police said Cano threatened a “massacre” and said he was armed and would harm anyone who came to stop him.
Oswego police responded to where they believed Cano to be and spotted a man walking in the direction Cano had mentioned he would be traveling. In his hand, the man was holding a long rifle, Weis said.
After spotting the man, later identified as Cano, police told him to drop his weapon, Weis said.
“At that point, Mr. Cano turned and fired at the officers, discharging one round,” Weis said.
Two police officers returned fire, striking Cano once, Weis said. He was rushed to an Aurora hospital and treated for a non-life-threatening wound.
Weis said the rifle was recovered, along with ammunition.
The investigation into the shooting by officers was turned over to the Illinois State Police, which conducted an independent review. The final state police report was turned over to Weis on Oct. 19 for him to make his determination on whether criminal charges would be filed against the two Oswego officers.
According to Weis, the officers’ actions were justified, and for several reasons.
Weis said because Cano was armed, threatened to kill or harm people, refused to comply with officers’ commands, and fired a round at officers, the officers were justified in shooting at him.
“The actions by the officers in using deadly force were justified in response to Taylor J. Cano’s own use of deadly force,” Weis said.