Naperville police shoot, kill knife-wielding Aurora man

Naperville police were justified in shooting and killing a troubled man who lunged at them with a knife, the victim’s brother said Tuesday.

“They had to do what they had to do,” Joseph Ladew of Naperville said. “I understand it.”

Two officers — one of whom was involved in a fatal suspect shooting nine years ago — shot 47-year-old William Ladew several times after responding to a report of a suicidal man shortly before 1 a.m. Tuesday at an apartment at 1135 W. Ogden Ave., Deputy Police Chief Gary Bolt said.

The officers were invited into the apartment by a woman, Bolt said. Once inside, Ladew rushed at them from a back bedroom with a large knife and was shot when he refused to drop the weapon.

“The officers felt they were in danger and believed their lives were threatened,” Bolt said. “They used the force they believed was appropriate — and I believe it was appropriate too, given the situation.”

According to police, the shooting happened at a second-floor apartment where Ladew was visiting a female friend.

Joseph Ladew said his brother had already slashed his wrists by the time officers arrived. He said he knew the shooting was justified because his brother’s friend corroborated the details given by police.

“He was just depressed, and it happened that quick. Nobody knows why,” Joseph Ladew said. “Obviously, you have to be depressed if you want to kill yourself. I’m not happy about it, but it was justified.”

Police said both a sergeant and patrol officer involved in the shooting were placed on paid administrative leave, while the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office coordinates and assists in an investigation.

The sergeant is a 19-year veteran of the department, and the officer has served for 10 years. Officials confirmed the sergeant, Steven Schindlbeck, also shot and killed a man who opened fire on police Jan. 23, 2002 in Naperville, after the shooting victim threatened his own family with a knife. After an investigation, the earlier shooting was found to be a justified use of deadly force.

Bolt would not identify the other officer. He said both officers had been advised not to speak to the media while Tuesday’s shooting was under investigation.

“They need time to process this themselves,” he said. “It’s a very unfortunate situation. I’m just glad both our officers are fine and that no one else was hurt.” Joseph Ladew said his brother was born and raised in Aurora and had family in the area. He said his brother was disabled and not working at the time of his death.

According to court records, William Ladew had a pending felony theft case in Kane County, for which he was scheduled to appear Wednesday, March 23. He also served prison time after a 2007 conviction for possession of a controlled substance, also in Kane, and had a prior driving under the influence of alcohol conviction in DuPage County, records show.

The coroner’s office began an autopsy Tuesday but had not yet determined the number of time Ladew was shot. It could be weeks before authorities wrap up their probe of the officers’ involvement.

“We’re still processing the crime scene,” he said Tuesday afternoon. “We want to make sure we do a very thorough job and collect as much evidence as necessary. We’ll take as much time as we need to make sure we’ve done an appropriate investigation.”

Staff Writer Susan Sarkauskas contributed to this report.