Another cop shot

Cops conduct massive manhunt after officer slain.

Police conduct a manhunt in northwest suburban Fox Lake for two armed men. | CBS2 Chicago photo

A massive manhunt for three fugitives continues in far north suburban Fox Lake about five hours after a police officer was shot and his service weapon was taken.

SWAT vehicles and multiple helicopters have surrounded a wooded area near the site where the officer was gunned down about 8 a.m.

Resident Mike Willin said he was watching television this morning about 9:30 a.m. when he saw the commotion.

“I saw the helicopters right above my house,” he said. “I thought, maybe it’s time for me to leave.”

Willin said police thoroughly checked him and his truck when he drove away from his home near Rollins Rd. and Route 59. He doesn’t plan to return home until the
fugitives are caught.

“I don’t want to be inside so they can use my house,” he said.

Gina Maria, a kindergarten teacher who lives in Fox Lake but works in Barrington, said she promptly left her class with a substitute when she got a message from her son about the lockdown at Grant High School.

“I’m here supporting law enforcement officers letting people know that police lives matter,” she said.

At 7:52 a.m., the Fox Lake police officer made contact with three suspicious male subjects, Lake County sheriff’s spokesman Chris Covelli said at a news conference.

The officer said on his radio that he was running after the suspects when communication was lost, Covelli said. A backup officer responded and found the officer injured with a gunshot wound.

An officer could be heard on the scanner saying: ” … send everybody you possibly can … officer is down …”

Covelli did not comment on the officer’s condition, but a law enforcement source told the Chicago Sun-Times he was killed.

All residents are asked to remain inside and call 911 if they see anything suspicious.

School District 15 in McHenry said on its website that all schools are on soft lockdown “as a precaution” due to “police activity in Fox Lake.”

Also on soft lockdown are Gavin South Middle School and Gavin Central Elementary School in Ingleside.

Metra has closed its Ingleside station due to the ongoing police activity. Commuters are advised to use the Long Lake or Fox Lake stations instead.

Several area roads are also closed.