Father of man in Des Plaines police shooting says son was unarmed
DES PLAINES, Ill. (WLS) -- Des Plaines police have not said what led up to the shooting of 21-year-old Ayham Babidi by an officer.
The 21-year old's father said his son was not armed and was having a mental health episode when he was shot by police.
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Broken glass remained at the scene, one of the few visible signs of the police-involved shooting in the normally quiet northwest suburban neighborhood. The incident has left many residents shaken.
"I've seen him walk by my house a few times, but never any kind of a difficulty," Sanders said. "He hasn't put anybody in danger."
The shooting happened Wednesday afternoon on Touhy Avenue near Scott Street.
"I was on my couch watching television yesterday afternoon around 2:30 and I thought I heard five gunshots or firecrackers I wasn't sure which and apparently was gunshots cause not too long after that I saw a police come flying up and the fire department come flying up," Sanders said.
The victim's father said he had just had surgery and was not home at the time, but says his daughter called him.
Investigators said officers came to the family's home after getting a call about a domestic disturbance there.
During an interview with a reporter from Univision, Babidi's father Jamal said his son had a bipolar disorder and had struggled with his mental health for years.
"But I don't know. He's a very good guy. I don't know... Five years ago he got the bipolar. We tried giving treatment," Jamal Babidi said.
Babidi was shot and killed during the incident.
At least five evidence markers sat next to shell casings left behind from the shooting involving a Des Plaines police officer.
"We call police many times to help us take him to the hospital, not to kill him," Jamal Babidi said.
Neighbors said detectives secured footage from security cameras from nearby homes as they try to figure out what led up to the shooting.
Meanwhile, some in this close-knit community are trying to make sense of it all.
"It shakes you to the ground because like I say I've been here my whole life," Sanders said. "I've raised three kids in this house and never had any problems like this before it shakes you. It really does."
The Major Case Assistance Team is also investigating the shooting.
