Chainsaw-Wielding Man Shot Dead in Assisted Living Facility After Terrifying Standoff!

2025-03-19 18:00:49.743

In December, Daniel H. Escalera, an Indiana man, caused a terrifying incident at River Glen of St. Charles assisted living facility in Illinois. Armed with a chainsaw, he revved the engine as police arrived. Despite officers repeatedly ordering him to drop the weapon, Escalera, claiming he wanted to see his wife, attempted to start the chainsaw. Once he succeeded, an officer used a taser, but it proved ineffective. Escalera then ran through the cafeteria and hallway, shrieking, as more officers arrived. Bodycam footage shows him charging at an officer with the chainsaw, hitting the officer before dropping the weapon and fleeing. He ran past residents, including one in a mobility scooter, before being shot multiple times by police. First aid was administered, but Escalera died at the scene. A joint press release stated Escalera had initially been on the property to cut down a tree but then entered the lobby and harassed residents with the chainsaw. An autopsy revealed the presence of amphetamines, methamphetamines, and olanzapine in his blood. The officers involved have been cleared of wrongdoing and praised for attempting de-escalation.