Fatal Encounters

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

John Wrana Jr.

Name: John Wrana Jr.
Age: 95
Gender: Male
Race: European-American/White
Date: 07/26/2013
Location: 101 Main St.
Park Forest, Illinois, 60466
County: Cook
Agency: Park Forest Police Department
Cause of Death: Asphyxiated/Restrained
Intended Use of Force: Less-than-lethal force
Media summary: Police responding to an assisted living facility encountered a reportedly belligerent John Wrana Jr., 95, who was refusing treatment. Wrana, who was frail and dependent on a cane or walker, was armed with his cane, a 2-foot-long metal shoe horn, and a butcher knife. Five officers responded. Wrana refused to drop the knife. After one taser failed to hit Wrana, officer Craig Taylor fired 5 beanbag rounds from a distance of 6-8 feet. After the fifth shot, Wrana dropped the knife but remained standing. The commander on scene knocked him to the floor with a riot shield and cuffed him. Wrana died hours later in a local hospital. Officer Taylor was cleared of criminal wrongdoing. Wrana's family received a $1.1 million settlement for wrongful death.
Unique ID: 13161

News article: Link






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