Man shot dead by police did not use child as a shield

Online Staff Report

Demetrius Bennett, the 31-year-old man shot to death by Rockford police Nov. 1, did not use one of his children as a shield, Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato said at a news conference Nov. 2.

Initial reports indicated Bennett used one of his children as a shield when he allegedly held a knife at officers responding to a domestic dispute at his home in the 1800 block of Montague Street Nov. 1.

Police reportedly were escorting Bennett’s wife, Amanda Armbruster, to the Montague Street residence at her request so she could gather some personal items. Bennett answered the door and then reportedly went to pick up one of his two children. Police then asked Bennett to put the child down, and he eventually gave the child up. Armbruster then took both children out of the home.

According to Bruscato, Bennett then grabbed a knife and officers responded by spraying him with pepper spray. Bennett wiped the pepper spray from his face and then made a “move,” according to Bruscato. Four Rockford police officers then shot Bennett.

An autopsy has yet to be performed. The Winnebago County Integrity Task Force is investigating the incident, and all officers involved have been put on administrative leave.

The shooting is the second officer-involved shooting death in Rockford in the last month. Logan Bell, 18, was shot and killed by police Oct. 11 after police responded to a 911 call from a family member of Bell’s saying the teen was in possession of a handgun and was a danger to himself. According to police, Bell prompted pursuing officers to shoot after he raised his gun. Logan Bell, a relative of former Rockford Ald. Victory Bell, reportedly suffered from bipolar disorder.

Posted Nov. 2, 2012

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