A middle-of-the-night domestic call in rural Bureau County turned into a fatal hostage nightmare early Sunday, when a 3-year-old boy was killed during an officer-involved shooting inside a mobile home near DePue and Princeton. Officers entering a room where a barricaded, knife-wielding suspect was allegedly holding multiple people opened fire, and bullets struck both the suspect and the child.
According to a press release from the Illinois State Police, Bureau County Sheriff’s deputies and Princeton police were called to the 2700 block of East Street around 2:42 a.m. on May 10 for a reported domestic disturbance, while state troopers secured the perimeter. Officers were told that the suspect was armed and holding several people, including juveniles, inside the residence. After they entered, a juvenile was rushed to a local hospital and pronounced dead, and the suspect was taken to a hospital with gunshot wounds. ISP officials say the investigation is active and will be turned over to the Bureau County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.
Victim Identified, Suspect Charged
The Bureau County coroner identified the child as 3-year-old Damian Camacho, according to KWQC. Local reporting names the suspect as 42-year-old Anthony Daniel Rodriguez. NBC Chicago reports that Rodriguez was hospitalized and is facing charges that include aggravated unlawful restraint, aggravated assault and domestic battery.
Court Hearing Sheds Light Inside the Home
In a Wednesday court hearing, prosecutors said Rodriguez had wrapped parts of the residence in plastic, sprayed bleach and threatened the lives of adults and children before barricading himself inside with a large butcher knife. Prosecutors told the judge that officers first tried to de-escalate the situation, then forced their way in. A non-lethal weapon was deployed before officers fired two rounds from a firearm, and one officer ultimately fired three shots that struck both Rodriguez and the child. Rodriguez was denied pretrial release and remains in custody, with an arraignment scheduled for Friday, according to Shaw Local.
Investigation and Oversight
The Illinois State Police say they are leading the use-of-force investigation and will hand the case to the Bureau County State’s Attorney’s Office once it is complete. ISP officials describe the probe as active and have declined to release further specifics while it continues.
Legal Implications
Bureau County State’s Attorney Dan Anderson told the court that prosecutors will not seek a murder charge because of a 2021 change to state law, and are instead pursuing assault and restraint counts. That change means Rodriguez faces the listed charges, which still carry significant penalties if he is convicted, Shaw Local reports.
What Comes Next
The investigation remains underway and authorities say more information will be released after the review is finished. NBC Chicago notes that no additional details have been made public at this time.
