Lake County Sheriff's deputies defuse situation involving man threatening self-harm while armed with gun

Lake County sheriff's deputies calmed a tense situation involving a man threatening self-harm and armed with a gun, authorities said.

Lake County sheriff's deputies were called to an address in the 27700 block of North Orchard Drive in unincorporated Wauconda for an intoxicated man armed with a gun and threatening to kill taking his own life around 5 p.m. on June 3, said Lake County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Christopher Covelli.

Officers arrived at the residence and approached slowly when the unidentified man in distress came out of his home armed with a gun, Covelli said.

Officers successfully used de-escalation techniques to communicate with the man and get him to drop the firearm, Covelli said.

Sheriff's deputies continued to communicate with the man and he eventually agreed to walk away from the gun to ask deputies for help, Covelli said.

The man was transported to an area hospital for mental health evaluation and treatment.

Officers recovered the handgun the man was previously armed with, Covelli said, adding that sheriff's deputies also removed a combination of seven rifles and shotguns as well as thousands of rounds of ammunition from the man's home. man.

A “Clear and Present Danger” form was submitted to the Illinois State Police, Covelli said. A clear and present danger form is the first step for the Illinois State Police to review a person's firearm owner identification card and concealed carry permit status.

“Mental health calls are at an all-time high. Our MPs have once again slowed down the situation. They took their time to speak compassionately to the man in distress,” said Idleburg Sheriff John D. “This is another example of how Sheriff's Office personnel, from our emergency dispatchers to those responding to the scene, are using de-escalation skills rather than force. This is an example of what they do every day. I am very proud of everyone who helped ease this tense situation.