Man Fatally Shot by Markham Police Identified

MARKHAM, IL — A man fatally shot by police early Sunday approached an officer holding a gun, and the officer felt his safety was at risk, according to reports.

Donte T. Jones, 36 of the 300 block of South Fifth Avenue in Maywood, was shot as police attempted to break up a fight outside the Stadium Club, 16300 Dixie Highway, before 3 a.m. Jones, who police said was holding a gun, allegedly moved "in close proximity" to the officer, who then discharged his weapon "to stop the threat,"Chicago Tribune reports.

Jones was pronounced dead at 3:29 a.m., at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey. An autopsy was scheduled for Monday.

It is unclear how many people were involved in the altercation, or what caused it.

The officer who fired the gun has been with the department about four years. He has been placed on modified duty pending an investigation.

A weapon was recovered from the scene, and charges are pending for one person who was arrested. The State Police Public Integrity Task Force will investigate whether the shooting was justified. The Cook County South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force has opened a criminal investigation into the shooting and the circumstances preceding it, Tribune reports.

Meanwhile, Jones' family told ABC7 they have not heard from Markham Police, Illinois State Police, or the mayor of Markham regarding the fatal encounter with the father of four.