A manhunt is on for three suspects after a Fox Lake police officer was shot and killed Tuesday morning in Lake County, Illinois.
At a press conference held a few minutes before noon CDT it was announced the suspects are two white males and one black male. The officer was shot during a foot pursuit of the men after informing dispatchers he was investigating the men for suspicious activity.
The officer was found fatally wounded by another officer after radio contact was lost. The officer’s gun and other equipment had been taken from him according to the Chicago Tribune.
“The officer was pursuing people described as suspicious around 8 a.m. Tuesday, according to Lake County Undersheriff Raymond Rose.
“Officers responding to the scene to help the officer found him in a marshy area, stripped of his gun and other gear, Rose said. He died at the scene, the undersheriff said.”
The killers stole his gun and pepper spray.
UPDATED: Police manhunt for 3 men suspected of shooting a cop this morning in Lake County http://t.co/RUtkeC8Dna pic.twitter.com/RicIORZ9qt
— CZBerman (@ChuckerB) September 1, 2015
UPDATE: WLS-TV reported Fox Lake schools are on lockdown and that Fox Lake residents are being told to stay inside behind locked doors and report suspicious persons.
“”At this time, we’re asking all area residents to remain inside. Report any suspicious activity, any suspicious people, by dialing 911 as we still have three offenders at large,” Det. Covelli said.
…”Grant Community High School is on hard lockdown. Superintendent Christy Sefcik said the school went on lockdown around 8:30 a.m. She said all students and staff are being kept away from exterior glass and out of view.
“The Facebook pages for Gavin School District and St. Bede School in Ingleside said the schools are on soft lockdown.”
Officer at Fox Lake shooting scene: "send everybody you possibly can … officer is down …"
http://t.co/Bwd0OENJR1 pic.twitter.com/AfecuVSDDX
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) September 1, 2015
MORE: WGN-TV reported the slain officer was shot in the head and that he was married and a twenty-year veteran of the Fox Lake Police Department who stayed on one month past his scheduled retirement at the request of the outgoing police chief.
“A manhunt is underway for three armed suspects after a Fox Lake police officer was fatally shot in the head Tuesday morning.
“The officer was a lieutenant and a 20-year veteran with the Fox Lake Police Department. He was involved in several youth programs in the area, and he was also married.”
…”The officer was a long-time lieutenant with the Fox Lake Police Department. Sources tell WGN he was supposed to retire last month but the chief — who stepped down — asked him to stay on for one more month. He was involved in several youth programs in the area, and had a wife and four children.”
