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Suicidal Man Shot, Killed After Threatening Cops With Knife

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (CBS) -- Police officers in west suburban Naperville shot and killed a suicidal man who was threatening them with a large knife early Tuesday morning.

As WBBM Newsradio 780's Nancy Harty reports, Naperville police got a 911 call around 1 a.m. Tuesday about a suicidal man in an apartment building on the 1100 block of West Ogden Avenue.

Naperville Deputy Police Chief Gary Bolt said that after a female friend allowed two officers into the apartment, a man later identified as William Ladew approached them in a threatening manner, armed with a large knife.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Nancy Harty reports

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"The officers ordered him to drop the knife and to stop his movement toward them. After several warnings, he refused to do that, continued to advance and, because they were in fear of their lives, they shot the subject," Bolt said.

Officers immediately gave Ladew first aid and Naperville paramedics took him to Edward Hospital in Naperville. Ladew, 47, of 573 S. Lake St. in Aurora, was later pronounced dead, according to police.

One of the officers, a sergeant, is a 19 year veteran of the department. The other officer is a 10 year veteran of the department.

Both have been placed on administrative leave and the DuPage County State's Attorney Office has been notified of the shooting and is assisting with the investigation.

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