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Man Fatally Shot By Police Identified As Zion Resident

ZION (CBS) -- A man who was fatally shot during an altercation with police as been identified, police disclosed on Thursday.

Charles J. Hollstein, 38, of Zion, was shot by police after a foot chase on Wednesday.

Hollstein's father said his son had some mental health issues. Police records show that the younger Hollstein was treated at the Elgin Mental Health facility after entering an insanity plea to misdemeanor charges for domestic battery and drug possession in 2004. He was treated until 2007, according to arrest records.

"He was a likeable sort of a boy, but I had my issues with him," said Charles Hollstein. "He didn't want to do what I told him to do, and he got into trouble.

"He made a bad decision yesterday morning obviously, and it cost him his life."

hollstein charles
Charles Hollstein

Hollstein, who was carrying an Air Soft gun and wearing a bullet-proof vest and homemade body armor, had been spotted taking photos of nearby schools when police were called.

Officers were called to the area of 22nd Street and Bethesda Boulevard near Lakeview Elementary School in Zion around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

A 911 caller said a man was taking photos of Lakeview and Zion-Benton High School's new tech campus.

A struggle with the man and officers ensued, and the suspect was shot. A source tells CBS 2 that Hollstein was shot in the back and that a Taser was used but it was ineffective.

He was transported to Vista East Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

The two officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid leave.

The Zion Police Department issued a statement on Thursday:

"Both Zion Police Department policy and Illinois law require an independent investigation conducted of officer involved shootings. The Lake County Major Crime Task Force is conducting the independent investigation. As there is an ongoing, independent investigation, the information we share is limited to what has been already been made public."

Investigators searched the man's home in the 2900 block of Willow Lane to find out why he may have been taking pictures of the school.

Seven schools went on lock down because of the incident.

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