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Police say U of I student shot by officers had pellet gun

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Authorities say an armed University of Illinois student shot by police near campus had a pellet gun and may have placed the call that drew police to the scene.

Officers were called around 6:30 p.m. Thursday for a report of a white male seen loading a semiautomatic handgun.

Officers found the man and ordered him to drop the gun. Police say when he didn't comply, three officers fired, striking him in the leg. His injuries weren't life-threatening.

Police later determined the gun was a Beretta air pellet pistol, which they say closely resembled a real handgun.

The News-Gazette reports that First Assistant State's Attorney Steve Ziegler says he believes it was the student who called in the report of an armed subject. He could face criminal charges.

Illinois State Police are investigating.

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Information from: The News-Gazette, http://www.news-gazette.com

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