Justus Howell was 17 when he was fatally shot by a Zion, Illinois police officer on April 4, 2015. Authorities say the shooting followed a foot chase after Howell allegedly stole a handgun; investigators reported Howell was shot twice in the back by Officer Eric Hill, one bullet piercing his heart, spleen and liver and the other striking his right shoulder. The encounter was captured on surveillance video. Lake County Coroner Thomas Rudd ruled Howell’s death a homicide.

Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim said a full evaluation of the facts would determine whether the killing was justifiable. An independent investigation concluded the officer’s use of deadly force was justified and no criminal charges were filed. Howell’s mother, LaToya Howell, led a wrongful death lawsuit against Officer Hill and the city of Zion in 2016; a jury rejected the lawsuit. The family continues to call for the case to be reopened.

Did anyone in Zion or who knew Justus see events from that day or have information that could shed more light on what happened?