Sheriff's deputies defuse situation with armed man near Wauconda – Shaw Local

WAUCONDA — Lake County sheriff's deputies defused a tense situation involving a man threatening self-harm who was armed with a gun, authorities said.

Around 5 p.m. on June 3, deputies responded to an address in the 27700 block of North Orchard Drive, unincorporated Wauconda, for a report of a drunk and suicidal man armed with a gun, according to A press release.

Police arrived at the residence and approached slowly when the distressed man came out of his home armed with a firearm. They successfully used de-escalation techniques to communicate with the man, and he agreed to drop the weapon. Eventually, the man agreed to walk away from the gun and walk toward deputies for further help, according to the release.

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

Officers recovered the gun and removed a combination of seven rifles and shotguns, along with thousands of rounds of ammunition, from the man's home, according to the release. A “Clear and Present Danger” form was also submitted to the Illinois State Police.

“Mental health-related calls are at an all-time high,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said in the release. “Our deputies have once again slowed down the situation. They took their time to speak compassionately to the man in distress. 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.