A chainsaw-wielding man threatening residents at an Illinois assisted living facility was shot and killed by police after attempts to subdue him failed. The incident took place on Dec. 1 at River Glen of St. Charles.
Officers responded after reports of a shirtless man using a chainsaw to cut down a tree on the property. By the time they arrived, the man had entered the nursing home’s lobby, where he began confronting elderly residents.
St. Charles, Illinois
Chainsaw massacre averted at nursing home:https://t.co/ok1jU7kZiJ pic.twitter.com/PRndtJcZbz
— The Big C-O (@thebigC_O) December 2, 2024
Police tried to de-escalate the situation and used a Taser in an attempt to stop the man, but it was ineffective. An officer then fired their weapon, striking the suspect. The man, identified as 41-year-old Daniel Escalera, later died at a nearby hospital.
Residents and officers suffered minor injuries, but the attack left many deeply shaken. Paul Ekstrom, whose mother was nearby, credited the police with preventing a tragedy. “They saved lives,” he said.
Nice. Local news. A lunatic just tried to kill residents of a nursing home and arriving police with a chainsaw
Shot and killed while attacking police https://t.co/GCqywslm5f
— mark safranski (@zenpundit) December 1, 2024
Escalera had a long history of violent behavior, including prior arrests for assault and probation violations. He was reportedly supposed to be in custody but had been free at the time of the attack, raising questions about his release.
The nursing home is now working to help its residents recover while police continue their investigation into the events surrounding the attack.
