Task force finds Joliet police officer’s non-fatal shooting justified

An outside investigation of a Joliet police officer’s non-fatal shooting of a man in January determined that it was justified.

On Friday, the Joliet Police Department received the final investigative findings of the Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force regarding Officer Brian Lanton’s shooting of Cordairel Whitmore, 29, of Joliet.

Whitmore survived the shooting and is now contending with a criminal charge accusing him of placing Lanton in danger by displaying a BB gun.

Will County Deputy Chief Dan Jungles, who is the task force chairman, wrote a letter about the investigation that said the shooting was justified.

“As a result of Cordairel Whitmore being charged with the offense of aggravated assault, Joliet police officer Brian Lanton was justified in using deadly force when he discharged his firearm striking Cordairel Whitmore,” Jungles’ letter read.

The task force’s findings were presented to the Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow’s office for review. Investigators conducted almost 30 interviews and gathered over 70 items of evidentiary value.

Jungles told The Herald-News that the state’s attorney’s office “basically concurred with the findings of the investigation” by charging Whitmore with aggravated assault.

Will County State’s Attorney spokeswoman Carole Cheney provided a statement that indicated only Whitmore would face charges over the incident.

“We have reviewed all the facts and circumstances in this case, as we do in every case, and the appropriate charges have been filed,” Cheney said.

About a week after the Jan. 28 shooting, Whitmore was charged with knowingly engaging in “conduct which placed another, Brian Lanton, in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery,” the criminal complaint said.

“He displayed a BB gun, knowing Brian Lanton to be a peace officer performing his official duties,” the complaint said.

Whitmore’s case has yet to go trial.

Whitmore’s attorney, Daniel Calandriello, did not immediately respond to a call and message on Friday about the task force’s findings. Whitmore’s mother did not respond to a call either.

At 10:17 a.m., officers were sent to 1200 Nicholson Street in response to a disturbance.

A caller contacted 911 to report an upstairs neighbor at 1200 Nicholson Street was being a nuisance, according to calls obtained by The Herald-News in a Freedom of Information Act request.

“I’m calling the police because the nuisance needs to stop. I want some rest,” the caller said.

Jungles’ letter said officers arrived at the scene and spoke with Whitmore and one of the officers reportedly went to his squad car to obtain paperwork on mental health facilities to provide to Whitmore.

“As Cordairel M. Whitmore was speaking with Joliet police officer Brian Lanton on the front porch of the residence, the offender produced what appeared to be a handgun and pointed it at officer Brian Lanton,” Jungles said.

Lanton fired several shots at Whitmore, who was struck multiple times, Jungles said.

“The Joliet police officers on scene made the scene safe and began rendering medical aid to the individual,” Jungles said.

Whitmore was later taken to AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital in Joliet for surgery.

Afterward, he was taken to the Will County jail on Feb. 6 and bonded out on Feb. 19.