Brian Pitzer

Suicide

Officer Chad LaCost shot Brian Pitzer twice in the back when he allegedly pointed a gun at police during a five-hour standoff. According to his mother, Pitzer was suicidal and depressed. Negotiators from the Central Illinois Emergency Response Team (CIERT) tried unsuccessfully to coax Pitzer to surrender. Pitzer left his house three times to speak with officers. The third time, Pitzer walked down the street while CIERT members snuck into his home. When Pitzer tried to re-enter his house, officers tasered Pitzer, but police said it was ineffective. An officer began to reload the Taser and CIERT members closed in on Pitzer. LaCost shot Pitzer when he allegedly raised his shotgun into a firing position. However, two witnesses said Pitzer had dropped the shotgun after being Tased. A Peoria County Coroner's jury decided that Pitzer's death was a suicide.