ID of man shot by St. Clair County deputy is released while officer is placed on leave

The 69-year-old man shot by a St. Clair County Sheriff’s deputy died at Memorial Hospital at 10:58 p.m. Thursday, according to Coroner Calvin Dye Sr.

The deputy, a nine-year veteran of the sheriff’s department, has been placed on leave pending the ongoing investigation of the incident by Illinois State Police.

“I believe our officers acted appropriately and I look forward to the conclusion of the investigation,” Sheriff Rick Watson said Friday.

Dye identified the man who was shot and killed as Charles Sanders of Schmidt Lane.

According to a sheriff’s department release issued overnight, deputies were dispatched to the 5000 block of Schmidt Lane, in an unincorporated rural area south of Belleville and east of Millstadt, to investigate a reported domestic disturbance at about 7:46 p.m.

“Before we arrived, based on the 911 call, the female victim was placed in a situation where she was fighting for her life,” said sheriff’s department Lt. James Hendricks. “It was a chaotic and volatile situation that continued to spiral and escalate based on the suspect’s actions.”

According to a sheriff’s department release, Sanders discharged a weapon multiple times and confronted the “numerous uniformed officers” while still armed. That’s when the deputy discharged his service weapon, striking the man.

In the sheriff’s department release, Hendricks expressed regret that domestic violence and mental health issues have increasingly been the subject of “dangerous and volatile” emergency calls. He echoed those sentiments Friday afternoon.

“In any situation when someone loses their life it is always tragic,” Hendricks said. “Although our officers acted appropriately, we still understand this individual has a family. We know they’re going to go through emotional trauma for an extended period of time.”

This story was originally published October 4, 2024 at 2:38 PM.