Man Killed by Evansville Police After Taking Family Hostage ID’d

EVANSVILLE, Ind.–A man who was shot and killed by Evansville Police after taking two women and several children hostage Friday was identified Sunday as Phillip Dill, 34, of Evansville. Police did not discuss why he took them hostage. The hostages were likely members of Dill’s family. He called 911 and told dispatchers he was “losing his mind” and was getting ready to kill his family.

The children and a woman were let go first. Dill then took another woman into a back bedroom where he and police negotiated. Police said later that he forced their hand.

The woman was not harmed.

Police released body cam video the same day where a negotiator can be heard urging Dill to “ease up on that knife”, and let the woman go.

“He doesn’t want to go,” the woman can be heard telling police.

“I’m just trying to make sure that you know that all the focus is on you,” the negotiator can be heard saying. “That’s what we’re all here for.”