DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Bensenville Chief of Police Daniel Schulze announced Sunday, Nov. 7, that bond had been denied for a Bensenville man accused of shooting a Bensenville police officer eight times.
Kiante Tyler, 21, appeared in bond court Sunday morning in front of Judge James Orel, who granted the state’s petition to deny bond.
Tyler has been charged with one count of attempted first degree murder (Class X felony), one count of aggravated battery to a police officer with a firearm (Class X felony) and two counts of aggravated battery to a police officer (Class 2 felony).
On Saturday, Nov. 6, at approximately 12:55 a.m., the Bensenville Police Department was notified of a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of S. York Road. When the first officer arrived, he began speaking with the occupants while standing at the open front door of the apartment.
As the officer spoke with Tyler, Tyler allegedly pulled a firearm and shot at officer Steven Kotlewski 10 times, striking him eight times. At nearly the same time, additional officers with the Bensenville Police Department who had arrived at the scene, heard gunshots and quickly responded, finding the injured officer crawling in a stairwell.
Officers rendered aid including applying tourniquets to the injured officer who was bleeding heavily. An officer then transported the injured officer to an ambulance.
Kotlewski underwent emergency surgery at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood as his injuries are extensive. Another officer then went to Tyler’s apartment, and after several minutes, Tyler surrendered to the officer.
Following a sweep of the apartment conducted by the DuPage County Metropolitan Enforcement Response and Investigation Team, officers found a 9 mm pistol laying on the kitchen counter and numerous spent rounds of ammunition.
“Each and every day, our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect the safety and security we enjoy in DuPage County,” Berlin said. “For their service, courage and commitment, we owe them a great debt of gratitude that, in my opinion, can never be repaid.
“Any call to which they respond could turn violent at any time, as we saw in this case. The shooting of an officer touches all of us and on behalf of all DuPage County law enforcement, I wish a speedy and full recovery for the officer injured in this incident.
“I commend the Bensenville Police Department for their work on this case. I also want to commend the other responding officers for their quick thinking and decisive actions that almost certainly saved the life of the injured officer. I also thank the DuPage County MERIT Public Integrity Unit and the DuPage County MERIT Forensic Investigation Unit for their immediate response and professionalism as well as the DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick and his Office.”
“I applaud the efforts of our responding officers, the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigative Team and to our community for their outpouring of support,” said Schulze. “The professionalism, composure and selflessness of our officers on the scene was exemplary and their quick actions kept the public safe and saved Officer Kotlewski’s life. Officer Kotlewski put himself in danger to protect others and now faces a long recovery as a result of this senseless act of violence.”
Tyler’s next court appearance is scheduled Dec. 6 for arraignment in front of Judge Mike Reidy.
