On Wednesday, three sheriff’s deputies were shot in northern Illinois while responding to a report of threats from someone inside a home in the Lost Lake community near Dixon. Here are the key details from the incident:
1. **Incident Report**: Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle stated that deputies were dispatched after receiving a report that an individual inside a home in Lost Lake was threatening to harm themselves or others. Negotiators attempted to contact the person by phone before deciding to enter the residence shortly before noon.
2. **Shots Fired**: Upon entering the house, the deputies encountered gunfire from inside. It was not specified how many shots were fired or the type of weapon involved.
3. **Injuries**: Three deputies were injured in the exchange of gunfire. Additionally, the suspect, who was also shot, sustained injuries. At Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon, where they were transported, two of the injured deputies were treated and released. The condition of the third individual was not disclosed.
4. **Investigation**: The Illinois State Police will lead the investigation into the shooting incident. Details about the suspect, including their identity, age, and residence, have not been disclosed by authorities.
5. **Community Description**: Lost Lake is described as a "country-style community" with approximately 700 property owners. It is situated in an unincorporated area close to Dixon, Franklin Grove, and Oregon, around 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Chicago.
6. **Law Enforcement Response**: Aerial footage from local media showed a significant law enforcement presence in the neighborhood, with officers and vehicles from various agencies visible throughout the area. Police tape restricted access to at least one driveway, and a mobile command center from the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office was stationed nearby.
The situation remains under investigation by the Illinois State Police as authorities work to gather more details about the events leading up to the shooting and the circumstances surrounding it.
