Fatal Encounters

A step toward creating an impartial, comprehensive and searchable national database of people killed during interactions with police

Fabian Patillo

Name: Fabian Patillo
Age: 21
Gender: Male
Race: Hispanic/Latino
Date: 06/05/2006
Location: 400 block Home
Oak Park, Illinois, 60302
County: Cook
Agency: Oak Park Police Department, Forest Park Police Department, River Forest Police Department
Cause of Death:
Intended Use of Force:
Media summary: Fabian Patillo reportedly shot himself by mistake as off-duty OPD Sgt. Juan Paladines and rookie OPD officer Stephen Struska pursued him on foot. According to police, Patillo was suspected in the rape and robbery of several woman in River Forest, and had run off when one victim fought back. Police learned that Patillo had entered Mills Park, so they sealed off the area and began to search. Paladines, who'd reportedly heard about the search on his radio, parked and saw Patillo crouching behind a garbage can. Patillo then started down Home, and Paladines got out and followed, radioing his position. Struska joined Paladines. Struska passed Paladines, and was about to grab Patillo when he allegedly pulled a handgun. According to police, Patillo attempted to shoot Struska over his shoulder, but fired too soon and shot himself in the side of the head. Patillo died several hours later.
Unique ID: 5197

News article: Link






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