Family of man killed by police in Elk Grove Village files wrongful death lawsuit

Elk Grove Village did not release audio and video footage until weeks after the shooting. The family’s lawyers claim the video was edited to show “a decidedly one-sided version of the event with a strong handful of manipulations.”

In an audio recording released by the municipality, Murray calls 9-1-1 and tells dispatchers that someone is “acting erratically with a knife and appears dangerous.” He quickly becomes confused and, when asked who this person is, responds, “Mmm… Mmm. Not quite sure,” and then states that the person’s name is Jack Murray. He introduces himself as Jack Murray and ends the call when asked if he has a knife.

The dispatcher calls back and Murray’s father answers confused. He says they are all in the house together and no one has a knife. Murray’s father asks him, “Jack, do you need help?” and replies, “It’s okay, Jack, if you need help… Talk to me, Jack. Talk to me.”

Dispatchers tell Murray’s father that the police are outside and to leave his son home alone. He responds, “He’s not violent right now.”

At some point during the conversation, Murray goes outside and his father tells the operator that he is going with him.

In a body-worn camera video released by the municipality, officers repeatedly tell Murray to put his hands up as he walks down the street toward police. Officers appear to stun him with a Taser and then open fire seconds later.

All of this happened in less than two minutes. Officers opened fire, hitting Murray five times “in front of” both of his parents, according to the family’s lawyers.

Romanucci said they were “not running away from the fact that Jack may have had a knife in his hand,” but they still had not been presented with any evidence.

Regardless of whether he had a knife, Romanucci said, “there was no fear in that household.” Murray was both mentally and physically impaired at the time, he said.

“They (the police officers) had full body shields, tactical gear, tasers, pepper spray and batons if needed… they even had a beanbag gun,” Romanucci said. “They had all the de-escalation and non-lethal weapons they could get. What was the first thing that happened? They shot.”

The civil suit calls for a jury trial to determine the amount of damages and penalties.

Attorneys say they still do not know the full identities and employment status of the officers involved and hope that more information will come to light as disclosure progresses.