The Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 5 released dash and body camera footage Thursday of a Jan. 25 death in Coles County, according to an ISP press release.
The dash camera footage can be found here.
According to the ISP, they provided Dennis’ family the opportunity to review the video before its release to the public.
The footage shows three Charleston Police officers responding to a well-being check at the Amoco gas station located at 200 W. Lincoln Ave. in Charleston called in by 22-year-old Eastern Illinois University student Yahacov Dennis at approximately 1:15 a.m., according to the footage.
In the footage, Dennis told officers that he believed he had smoked cannabis laced with PCP before making the call to law enforcement.
Shortly after, Dennis began to shake and sway back and forth, which prompted officers to offer Dennis a seat inside one of the police cars on the scene to stay warm, but he refused the offer.
He then slumped against the nearby gas pump as the shaking intensified with two officers moving closer for assistance.
After the officers moved in, Dennis moved forward unexpectedly and dislodged one of the officer’s gun from its holster.
The officer whose gun was pulled ran behind one of the cars in an effort to reach safety while the other officer tried to prevent Dennis from harming anyone. But Dennis discharged the firearm toward himself, as seen in the dash camera footage.
Emergency medical services were called, and Dennis was transported to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois, and pronounced dead at 10:34 a.m. on Jan. 25, according to a press release from Champaign County Coroner Laurie Brauer on Jan. 27.
An autopsy was scheduled for Jan. 27, but no information will be released until all investigations have ceased, according to Champaign County coroner’s office.
Illinois State Police said Dennis’ family was allowed to view the footage before public release.
An ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Illinois State Police. No further information is currently available.
Luke Brewer can be reached at 581-2812 or at lsbrewer@eiu.edu.