Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy says the matter involving the shooting of a man by a Vermilion County Sheriff’s Deputy in December is now closed. Lacy says an Illinois State Police investigation into the shooting of Caleb Emory by a Sheriff’s Sergeant found the officer’s action was justified.
The shooting occurred December 13, 2016 at a home on Georgetown Road, south of Danville. The State’s Attorney says after a review of all police reports, witness statements, viewed evidence at the scene, as well as photographs of the incident, she has concluded that no criminal charges are warranted against the officer.
State Police say Emory had been involved in a domestic dispute with his father, and both were under the influence of alcohol. The investigation found that Emory had threatened to burn the residence at 2530 Georgetown Road where the incident occurred. As two deputies were approaching the home, Emory exited the dwelling shouting ‘’be prepared to die’’ at the officers – according to the State Police investigation. Emory went back into the residence, then came out with a sickle in one hand and a silver revolver in the other and asked ‘’are you guys ready to die?’’
Emory then appeared at a window and at that time pointed a revolver at the deputies, according to the report. It was at that point that the officers, fearing for their safety, fired a total of six shots at Emory. Some of the shots struck Emory in the face.
When the officers entered the residence to render aid following the shooting, a sickle came down on them (an apparent hidden trap)…and smoke began to billow from the residence. Several minutes later Emory emerged from the smoke and surrendered to Vermilion County Sheriff’s Deputies.
‘’Based on the totality of the circumstances, deadly force was justified,’’ says Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy. Emory was taken to Carle Hospital in Urbana for treatment following the shooting.
