Waukegan police say shooting that killed Black teen was in self-defense; protesters question it

The fatal police shooting of a young Black man in Waukegan on Tuesday night is provoking questions and outrage about whether it was justified although authorities said the officer who fired feared for his life.

Black Lives Matter Lake County Chapter representatives plan a peaceful protest Thursday starting from the location where a 19-year-old was shot.

The situation unfolded shortly before midnight Tuesday when a Waukegan officer fired into a vehicle in self-defense after the driver started reversing as the officer walked toward it, police Cmdr. Edgar Navarro said Wednesday. The officer is Hispanic and a 5-year veteran of the force.

The driver, a Black woman in her 20s from Waukegan, suffered serious injuries but is expected to recover, officials said.

The shooting has been turned over to Illinois State Police to investigate and their findings will be given to Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim.

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