Deandre Watkins

In the early morning hours of January 28, 2016, PSO Watkins and PSO Henderson were on mobile patrol near the vicinity of 31st and State when they observed a suspicious vehicle with its headlights on, parked in an empty campus parking lot.  PSO Watkins drove his vehicle to the area where the suspicious vehicle was parked, and as he approached, PSO Watkins observed an unknown individual, later to be identified as an IIT student, with both hands over one shoulder holding a stick-like object over another individual who appeared to be unconscious on the ground. That individual was subsequently identified as another IIT student.  As PSOs Watkins and Henderson exited their patrol vehicle, PSO Watkins reportedly saw the standing individual return to the trunk of a nearby car and place the stick-like object in the open trunk of the car and close it.  The individual then entered the vehicle and attempted to drive away.  PSO instinctively reacted by standing near the front of the vehicle with his weapon drawn on the individual, ordering him to stop the car.  The individual complied after the vehicle had moved a short distance towards PSO Watkins.  The individual was ordered by PSO Watkins to place his car in park, exit the vehicle and place himself on the ground where he was subsequently handcuffed by PSO Watkins. PSO Watkins and Henderson requested assistance from other IIT Public Safety staff. A request for a response from the Chicago Police and Fire Departments was also made.  Shift Manager David Ludwig responded to the student who was still lying on the ground.  The student had suffered serious head injuries and was unresponsive.  The Chicago Fire Department subsequently transported him to Northwestern Hospital where he eventually died from his injuries.

PSO Watkins' initial alert recognition and response to a suspicious vehicle in an empty campus parking lot led to the discovery of what would become a homicide crime scene.  ln addition, PSO Watkins’ subsequent reaction to the offender’s attempt to drive away from the area, with no regard for his own personal safety, prevented the offender from fleeing the area and from possibly ever being linked to this incident.