Oak Park officials have released more information after an Oak Park Police Department officer fatally shot a man during a traffic stop Sunday evening — the first fatal shooting by an officer in the village in nearly 40 years. 

An Oak Park officer fatally shot 38-year-old Christian Wallace of Chicago near the intersection of Austin Boulevard and Harrison Street on May 31. The officer shot Wallace four times after discovering that he was carrying a concealed firearm while performing a “protective pat down.”  

A “struggle” over the firearm ensued, leading to the shooting, Oak Park Spokesperson Dan Yopchick told Wednesday Journal in a statement.  

“During the stop, the driver was instructed by the officer to exit the vehicle,” Yopchick said. “The officer performed a protective pat down and, in doing so, discovered a firearm concealed on the driver’s person. A prolonged physical struggle over control of the firearm ensued between the officer and the driver.” 

During that struggle, Wallace reportedly regained possession of his firearm before the officer fired his service weapon and shot the man, according to the village. A firearm with a defaced serial number was recovered by police at the scene, according to the village.  

The village said the officer shot Wallace in the right flank, right forearm, right wrist and in the head. He was pronounced dead at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood at 9:59 p.m., according to the village. 

The Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force responded to the scene and is conducting an ongoing investigation. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office will not bring any charges against the Oak Park police officer, the village confirmed Tuesday afternoon. 

Police stopped Wallace at approximately 9:10 p.m. Wallace was initially pulled over for a moving traffic violation and was not the subject of any warrant or a suspect in any case, the village said.  

The incident is the first fatal police shooting in Oak Park since May 29, 1988, according to the village.  

“Our officer responded to a situation that escalated rapidly and involved a concealed firearm,” Oak Park Police Chief Shatonya Johnson said in a statement to Wednesday Journal. “In keeping with our department’s commitment to transparency and accountability, I have ensured that the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force is leading the independent investigation into this incident. I am confident in that process and will not prejudge its findings.” 

The Oak Park officer was also admitted to Loyola Medical Center Sunday night, and was discharged early the following morning in “good condition,” according to the village. 

“He is currently on leave as he recovers, and our thoughts remain with him and his family during this time,” Johnson said. “I also extend my condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Wallace. Every loss of life is a profound matter, and we do not take lightly the seriousness of what occurred on Sunday evening.” 

Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman called the incident a “nightmare.”  

“The events of Sunday are tragic and every Village President’s nightmare,” Scaman said. “My immediate concern is the care of all involved, including the officer, family of the victim, and our community at large.  I have every confidence that a thorough investigation will be conducted, and I appreciate the professionalism and responsive of our staff and Chief Johnson.” 

Manager Kevin Jackson promised transparency with residents and cooperation with the state police’s investigation. 

“Oak Park is a community where we are committed to building and sustaining trust, and we will not waver in our responsibility to honor our shared values,” Jackson said. “We are committed to supporting the officer, his familyand the entirety of the department through this difficult time. In the same ways, we remain committed to transparency with the residents of Oak Park as this investigation unfolds. The community expects and deserves a full and objective review of this incident.” 

The shooting came as Oak Park police have increased their presence along Austin Boulevard, the village’s border with Chicago’s West Side. There’s been a string of “smash-and-grab” ATM burglaries on the street in recent weeks, including car-ramming burglaries at both the BP and Shell Gas Stations on either side of the Harrison and  Austin intersection in late April and early May. 

“There has been a concerted effort to increase the presence of officers on areas of the village that have been affected by the business burglaries,” the village said of its strategy. “OPPD has monitored the growing trend of smash-and-grab ATM thefts targeting businesses on Austin Boulevard and elsewhere in Oak Park.” 

An Oak Park internal investigation into the incident is also expected to take place. 

“In addition to the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force’s investigation, OPPD maintains its own internal investigation,” the village said. “The Civilian Police Oversight Commission is aware of the incident, and it will proceed according to its rules and procedures.”