Thursday, May 12, 2016

Clearing Man Robs Bank, Shot by Police After He Points His Gun at an Officer

A Clearing man who robbed the Byline Bank at 4970 S. Archer just after 10:45 a.m.
A selfie Johnson posted on Facebook
Monday. May 9 was, minutes later, shot and killed after he reportedly prepared to fire at police pursuing him.


Michael Johnson, 26, of the 5400 block of West 63rd Place, was chased from the bank by at least one bank employee. He ran west, across Pulaski and then down 50th Street.

Police joined the foot pursuit, according to CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson at a curbside press conference near 50th and Karlov. "The officers chased the subject down a gangway, at which time the subject turned towards the officers with a weapon," Johnson said. "One of the officers discharged his weapon, striking the offender."

After he was hit, Johnson then fell in a yard in the south end of the 4900 block of South Karlov. He was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to published reports. Police said they recovered Johnson's weapon at the scene.

The chase and shooting occurred about a block south of Edwards Elementary School, 4815 S. Karlov, which was temporarily placed on a soft lockdown as a precaution, according to published reports.

Editor's note: Police initially did not disclose Johnson's identity to the press or public. However, officers at a CAPS Beat 812 meeting did on Wednesday night. A CPD News Affairs spokesman confirmed it the following day to the Southwest Chicago Post.
Mugshot from Winnebago County

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents were gathering evidence at the Byline Bank branch, directly across the street from Curie High School. An FBI spokesman later said Johnson was the same man who had escaped authorities after robbing the Byline Bank branch at 6257 S. Austin at 10:24 a.m. Saturday, May 7.

Authorities said that Johnson had a criminal history, including at least one arrest near Rockford.

Reaction in the neighborhood was swift.

"I heard the gunfire from a distance and wondered what was going on," said Maria Iniguez, an elotero wheeling a cart near Edwards School. "In a situation like this, I worry for los niƱos (the children). Anything could have happened. I'm glad the police stopped him. I'm sad that someone died, but the police did what they had to do."

Juan Arce said he was at the Archer Heights Branch Library when he heard what had happened.

"I've been a robbery victim myself, more than once," he said. "So it may sound cold, but I
From Johnson's Facebook page.

have no pity for someone who sticks a gun in your face. And you point a gun at a cop--well, what do you think they're going to do in response?"

Steve Kuminskas said he had "just stopped for a cup of coffee" at the New Pindos Restaurant, immediately west of the bank, when he "heard and saw this commotion. I figured out that the guy must have robbed the bank or at least tried to. I only found out later what happened. I've lived around here for over 40 years, and I've lost count of how many times there have been stick-ups at local banks, grocery stores, gas stations and other businesses. It's not a good thing, but it pays to put it in context--that these bank robberies are happening all over, even throughout the suburbs."

A statement released by CPD on Monday afternoon noted that "the specifics of this incident, including the comprehensive use of force investigation, are being investigated by the Independent Police Review Authority with the full cooperation of the CPD. The officer(s) involved will be placed on routine administrative duties for a period of 30 days. This policy will ensure separation from field duties while training and fitness for duty requirements can be conducted. Going forward, this will be standard protocol following all officer-involved shootings."


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4 comments:

  1. Thats my big brother i hate whoever killed my brother hes was my everything

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  2. I personally know this guy. He needed help and tried everything to get it. His mental issue got so bad to the point where he honestly believed he was an angle sent by God. The poor guy found his own mother dead in his house from a stroke. His father was never there for him, he struggled with drug addiction, and he kidnapped by some very terrible people a few years ago. They did things to him that I won't even mention. After the kidnapping, he was never the same. He tried ever service in Rockford to get help and was sent packing every time because he didn't have insurance or the funds to receive the help he needed. Micheal did NOT rob that bank to get money and never planned to hurt anyone. He told one of his closest friend he wanted to die but refused to actually kill himself. He told many people, when he was ready to die he was going to rob a bank with a gun so the cops would forced to shoot him dead. He NEVER planned to fire the gun. He was sick of life and completely gave up on trying to get help. The poor guy had a death wish and mental problems from all the trauma that's happened in his life.

    I do NOT agree with how this article makes him look like nothing but a wannabe thug because that's not who he was. He was a lost soul who had been hurt so badly he felt he had no other option but to deliberitly get himself killed.

    I wish someone had taken him seriously about his plan to provoke the police to kill him. I wish he hadent have given up on getting help after being turned away so many times. I know there are places that could have helped him but I understand how he felt after being turned away so many times.

    To the people who wrote this article to make Micheal look like a violent wannabe thug, maybe you should do a little more research and learn the actual story. Maybe if you write about Micheal's REAL story, you could have given advice to other young adults and teens in similar situations on how to get the help they need.

    I'd think a writer would want to write about something real and deep. Not some bullshit on who they think this person was and then go on to take the only pics on his facebook that fit the story.

    It just makes me so mad that he did this because he couldn't get help and that he felt his only option was to get himself killed.

    To anyone else out there that needs help with any mental issues or drug problems, there is help out there. It might take awhile to find the help you need and you may be turned away by some facilities, but don't give up.
    I received the help I needed at gateway in Chicago for my drug problem and they took me in right away. They also helped me with my mental issues and I'm always welcomed to call my counselor I had during my stay there.
    I was fortunate to find a place that could help me when I hit my bottom. I wish Micheal would have found the help he needed.
    I know the police had to do what they had to do and I don't blame them because if I was in their situation, I would have done the same to protect myself. I just hate the way whoever wrote this article didn't even try to get the story out there. I truly believe his story needs to be told and could help other people out there who need help.

    Thanks to all who took the time to read this. Whether you agree or not with my comment, it's the truth and reports should learn the full story before they jump to conclusions.

    Oh and his prior charges in Rockford never involved hurting anyone, trying to hurt any one or anything violent. He was far from a violent person. He was just lost and didn't think life was worth living anymore.

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  3. Dumb ass article. Go f yourself

    ReplyDelete