On the afternoon of March 18, 2024, at approximately 3:50 p.m., officers with the Decatur Police Department responded to an incident that would end in tragedy. The situation began when officers were dispatched to the area of 600 W. Grand Avenue in Decatur, Illinois, where three individuals were stopped for questioning. One of the subjects reportedly matched the description of a suspect involved in an armed robbery that had occurred earlier that same day.The individual in question was later identified as 38-year-old Rocky Dupin. Earlier that day, Dupin had been seen on surveillance footage robbing the Decatur Discount store. The item he took was a glass pipe valued at approximately $5. While seemingly minor in value, the robbery was taken seriously because it involved the presence of what appeared to be a firearm. Investigators quickly reviewed the store’s security footage and noted that the suspect’s clothing was a key identifier.ust a few hours later, Dupin was spotted in the same clothes during the police stop, which helped officers confirm his identity as the robbery suspect. However, what began as a standard field encounter soon escalated into a life-threatening situation.
According to police reports, during the course of the stop, Dupin refused to comply with verbal commands given by the officers on the scene. As tensions rose, he suddenly reached into his coat and pulled out what appeared to be a handgun. In response, two Decatur Police officers, perceiving an immediate threat to their safety and to the safety of others, discharged their service weapons.Dupin was struck by the officers’ gunfire and collapsed at the scene. Emergency medical assistance was immediately rendered, and he was transported to Decatur Memorial Hospital. Despite efforts to save his life, Dupin succumbed to his injuries and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
After the incident, authorities examined the weapon Dupin had pulled during the encounter. It was determined to be a BB gun — however, it was not an ordinary one. The replica weapon was an extremely realistic model of a .357 snub-nosed revolver, complete with brass bullet casings and a CO2-powered firing mechanism. According to police, the gun’s appearance was nearly indistinguishable from a real firearm, particularly in a high-pressure situation. Officers had no way of knowing it was not a live weapon in the split seconds they had to react.
The two individuals who were with Dupin at the time of the shooting immediately fled the scene as gunfire erupted. Authorities have not yet released information about whether those individuals were located or face any potential charges.Neither of the two Decatur Police Department officers involved in the shooting was injured during the incident. Both officers were placed on standard administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation — a routine procedure in all officer-involved shootings.
The incident has sparked a review of body camera footage and evidence by local authorities and the Illinois State Police. The Decatur Police Department stated that transparency will be a priority as they complete their investigation.Community reaction has been mixed, with some residents expressing concern over the escalating presence of replica firearms that are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. Others have questioned the level of force used, though law enforcement officials emphasize the difficulty officers face when making life-or-death decisions in real-time.Rocky Dupin’s death underscores the growing concerns nationwide over realistic-looking BB guns and how quickly police encounters can turn fatal when weapons — real or not — are introduced. The case remains under active investigation.
