Lake and McHenry County Scanner

Armed man critically injured after being shot by sheriff’s deputies near Harvard

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 12:09 PM PDT

McHenry County Sheriff’s Office | LMCS File Photo

A man, who police say was armed with a gun, is in critical condition after he was shot by sheriff’s deputies Friday evening near Harvard.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 8 p.m. Friday to the 19900 block of Streit Road in unincorporated Harvard.

The sheriff’s office said they received a call to check on the wellbeing of a subject.

Deputies arrived and a male subject reportedly exited the residence with a firearm.

An “armed confrontation” occurred between the subject and the deputies, the sheriff’s office said.

The deputies discharged their firearms, striking the man. No deputies were injured during the incident.

Lifesaving measures were given to the man and he was transported by the Harvard Fire Protection District to Mercyhealth Hospital in Harvard.

He was then flown to Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford where he remains in critical condition.

The McHenry County Major Investigation Assistance Team (MIAT) is conducting an investigation into the incident.

Employee accidentally discharges gun, shooting himself and teenager at gun range in Waukegan

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 10:42 AM PDT

Two people were shot after an accidental discharge of a firearm at Caliber Tactical Gun Range, 3059 Washington Street in Waukegan, Friday afternoon. | Photo: Google Street View

An employee accidentally discharged a gun, shooting himself and a teenager inside a gun range in Waukegan Friday afternoon, police said.

The Waukegan Fire Department and Waukegan Police Department responded around 2:15 p.m. Friday to Caliber Tactical Gun Range, 3059 Washington Street in Waukegan for a report of a shooting.

Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Joe Florip said officers received a call for two people who were shot inside the building during an accidental discharge incident.

A male employee, who is from McHenry and in his 50s, was sitting at a table just outside of the firing range lanes.

The employee accidentally discharged his pistol, Florip said.

The bullet went through his thigh, ricocheted off the floor and struck the wrist of an adult male teenager from Libertyville, who was seated.

Two ambulances were called to the scene and both victims were transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.

Officers processed the scene and the discharged firearm and spent shell casing were collected for evidence, Florip said.

It was not known whether any charges would be filed in the case.

The incident remains under investigation by the Waukegan Police Department.

Wauconda fire chief, who was one of district’s first full-time firefighter/paramedics, to retire after 45 years of service

Posted: 02 Apr 2022 09:18 AM PDT

Wauconda Fire District Fire Chief Dave Geary. | Provided Photo

Wauconda Fire District Chief David Geary, who was one of the department’s first full-time firefighter/paramedics, will retire next month after 45 years of service.

The Wauconda Fire District announced Geary’s retirement Friday.

Geary has served the district in different capacities since first joining the organization in 1977 as a part-time firefighter.

In 1980, he was hired as one of the district's first full-time firefighter/paramedics and went on to serve as a medical officer, lieutenant, business manager and then fire chief.

“There are many things I am proud of at the Fire District, but the most important of those is the First Responders, who serve the community with compassion and professionalism everyday while providing emergency medical and fire services,” Geary said.

Geary's last day will be May 20 and a walk-out ceremony will take place that day at fire station one, 109 West Liberty Street in Wauconda, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

“During David's tenure as Fire Chief he was always focused on supporting our First Responders and working with our Board to develop long term strategies for financial stability and long term capital planning,” Fire District President William Hogan said.

Fire District Trustee Luis Planas said that under Geary’s leadership, the district was able to obtain over $1.3 million dollars in federal grants in the last two years to help improve staffing, equipment and fire station facilities.

Hogan also announced that Deputy Chief Patrick Kane will be Geary's successor and move into the role of fire chief on May 20.

Kane is a 27 year veteran of the Wauconda Fire District. He served the organization first as a part-time firefighter and then made his way up through the full-time ranks serving as a lieutenant, battalion chief and then deputy chief.

Kane also served honorably with the United States Marine Corps.

“The District Board is eager to begin working with Kane in his new role as Fire Chief and are looking forward to his leadership and ability to help the District become an even better response agency as we continue forward,” Hogan said.