May 14, 2026 –
Illinois State Police Releases Video of Decatur Crossbow Incident; Officers Cleared in Shooting
The Illinois State Police has released video footage from an April officer-involved shooting in Decatur involving a man armed with a crossbow, while the Macon County State’s Attorney’s Office says the officers involved were justified in their use of deadly force.
According to ISP, the Decatur Police Department responded around 9:22 a.m. on April 22 to the 300 block of East William Street for reports of an armed subject identified as 54-year-old Michael Boliard of Decatur.
Police said officers followed Boliard into a building in the 400 block of East William Street, where investigators say he pointed a crossbow at officers. In response, three officers fired their weapons, striking Boliard.
Officers provided medical aid at the scene before Boliard was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Decatur Police Department requested the Illinois State Police conduct an independent investigation into the shooting.
Following a review of the case file and video evidence, the Macon County State’s Attorney’s Office determined the officers’ actions were legally justified and announced no criminal charges will be filed against any law enforcement officer involved in the incident.
In a statement, the State’s Attorney’s Office said the investigation found the three officers acted lawfully in their use of lethal force. Prosecutors added they would not comment further because criminal proceedings against Boliard are ongoing.
Boliard was released from the hospital on May 5 and taken into custody. He now faces multiple charges, including Aggravated Assault of a Peace Officer, Armed Violence, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, and three counts of Threatening Public Officials.
He remains lodged in the Macon County Jail pending court proceedings.
