A man armed with a chainsaw who stormed a nursing home in St. Charles, Illinois, was fatally shot by police after threatening residents. The frightening events unfolded on Dec. 1 at River Glen of St. Charles.
Officers were called to the scene after witnesses reported a shirtless man using a chainsaw to cut down a tree on the property. By the time police arrived, the man had entered the building’s lobby, where he confronted residents with the running chainsaw.
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
Authorities said attempts to calm the man failed. After a Taser proved ineffective, an officer discharged their firearm, striking the suspect. The man, identified as 41-year-old Daniel Escalera, later died at a nearby hospital.
Residents and staff escaped with minor injuries, but the attack left the community in shock. One resident’s family member, Paul Ekstrom, called the police response life-saving. “If it wasn’t for the police, it would have been a massacre,” 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’s lengthy criminal record includes charges of assault and resisting law enforcement. At the time of the attack, he was reportedly in violation of probation. Authorities are investigating why he was free.
The nursing home has increased its security following the attack, while residents are working to recover from the traumatic event.
