Video released of 2022 police shooting that killed man accused of taking hostages at Romeoville bank

Will County Grand Jury could not find enough evidence to indict Will County SWAT Team member who fired fatal shot

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Video shows 2022 Romeoville bank hostage incident
Illinois State Police released video of the deadly 2022 Will County shooting of George Walker, accused of taking hostages at a Romeoville bank.

ROMEVILLE, Ill. (WLS) -- Surveillance video was released Monday from a 2022 incident at a bank in Romeoville that ended with the suspect getting killed.

The video, released by Illinois State Police, shows 65-year-old George Walker walking into the Fifth Third Bank, located at 275 S. Weber Road, and firing a gun into the ceiling twice in May of 2022.

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Police say he held several people hostage for about half an hour, before letting them go.

The video then shows Walker place his gun on a chair inside the bank.

He then walks to the entryway, eventually kneeling, with the SWAT team outside.

SEE ALSO: Romeoville bank hostages share harrowing ordeal: 'He was literally crying out for help'

As he gets up and reaches for the door, a single gunshot is fired from outside, hitting him.

Walker died.

ABC7 Chicago froze the video before he was hit.

The video was released Monday after a Will County Grand Jury decided they could not find enough evidence to indict the Will County SWAT Team member who fired the fatal shot.

Neither the Will County Sheriff's Office nor the Will County State's Attorney's Office immediately responded to requests for comment.

The Will County Coroner's Office previously identified him as Gregory Walker.

Lawyers representing Walker's estate said in a statement:

"On May 10, 2022, Gregory Walker was shot and killed by a Will County Sheriff's Deputy. Yesterday, the family of Gregory was forced to face the deeply painful reality that the officer responsible for Gregory's death will not face criminal charges. This decision leaves us all with heavy hearts and a sense of profound injustice.

"We believe in accountability and the fundamental principle that every life has value. The loss of Gregory is a reminder of the urgent need for meaningful change in how communities are policed, how decisions to hold responsible parties accountable are made, and how justice is sought. No family should have to endure the pain of losing a loved one under
such circumstances.

"Gregory's estate is represented in a civil rights and wrongful death lawsuit by the law firms Barney Hammond LLP and Romanucci & Blandin, LLC. We remain committed to honoring Gregory's memory by seeking justice in his civil case and will continue to fight for reforms that will lead to lasting change and true justice, not just for Gregory's family, but for
others who face similar tragedies."

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