Community Corner

River Forest Police Shoot, Kill Hobbled Deer

Spectators shocked as authorities put down bloodied animal after North Avenue car crash.

A River Forest police officer opened fire on a wounded deer, shooting and killing the hobbled animal in front of a crowd of spectators on a busy stretch of North Avenue.

"We had customers outside," said Joe Konkel, a server at Spizzico Pizza & Pasta, 7446 North Ave. "There were three or four tables outside and a family just came in with their kids, so that sucked."

Police said the incident began around 5:30 p.m. Monday when the deer darted out into the 7500 block of North Avenue, just outside a plaza packed with Memorial Day crowds dining al fresco.

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A passing motorist struck the animal, and authorities said the impact first sent the deer into the car's windshield, then onto the pavement. Details of the crash weren't immediately available, but police said the driver suffered only minor injuries and was not taken to a hospital.

After the crash, the bloodied animal began running around before collapsing onto the parkway outside , 7501 North Ave.

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That's when witnesses said a River Forest police officer arrived at the scene, drew his service weapon and opened fire.

"Rather than endanger more lives, possibly with the thing running in the street and causing another accident, a supervisor had to put the animal down," said River Forest Police Sgt. Michael Thornley. "I'm sure people are understandably upset, but sometimes these things have to be done."


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