Bloomington police shoot knife-wielding teen downtown

Police shot a 16-year-old Bloomington High School North student at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday after police say he threatened officers with a knife outside the downtown Bloomington Transit terminal at the corner of 4th and Washington streets.

Capt. Joe Qualters refused to confirm the boy’s identity, but described him as a black male dressed in a camouflage outfit.

Bloomington Police Department officials said that they responded to a call indicating that the male subject was verbally threatening people, according to a press release.
The boy refused to comply with police orders to drop the knife, according to the release, and instead ran at the officer, brandishing the weapon.

Bloomington High School North principal Jeff Henderson confirmed the boy is a student there.

David Britton, an employee at Rhino’s Youth Center, was walking north on Washington Street toward Kirkwood Avenue when he saw the boy running near the corner of the BT terminal. He was being pursued by two police officers who twice yelled for the boy to stop, Britton said.

When the boy did not stop running, Britton heard two shots fired. The boy then fell to the ground and Britton said police officers proceeded to take his arms behind his back as if they were cuffing him.

Qualters said the boy sustained two shots in the front torso, which he said indicated the boy was running toward the officers. Qualters said the injuries are not life-threatening.

Bloomington Hospital spokeswoman Amanda Roach declined comment on the subject’s condition because he is a minor.

The boy has not been charged with any crimes, but Qualters said the investigation is ongoing.

The officer involved in the shooting, a 33-year veteran of the BPD, has been placed on administrative duty as part of departmental policy, according to the news release. His name will not be made public until an internal investigation is complete.

“Based on the original 911 call, eyewitness accounts and officer statements, Bloomington Police responded professionally to protect citizens in the area as well as their own safety under threat of an armed assailant,” Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan said in a statement. “Following the shooting, law enforcement acted swiftly to secure the site and begin a thorough internal investigation.”

A report on the incident will be reviewed by members of the Board of Public Safety.