Man Photographing Illinois Schools while Carrying Replica Gun Fatally Shot by Police

A man wearing a homemade tactical-style—but not bullet resistant--vest and carrying an Airsoft BB gun was fatally shot after he led police on a chase that ended in a struggle in a Zion, IL, alley Wednesday morning, Lake County authorities said.

Zion police officers responded to a report that a suspicious person was taking photographs of two schools just after 8:30 a.m. at 22nd Street and Bethesda Boulevard, according to Zion police and the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.

"The suspicious person was located by officers, and a foot pursuit ensued. It appeared the offender was wearing body armor. After the foot pursuit, a struggle with the offender and officers ensued, which resulted in the offender being shot," a statement from the task force read.

Authorities declined to identify the man, who was 38 and white, or his hometown at a news conference Wednesday afternoon, the Chicago Tribune reports.