A heavy police response was dispatched to Gurnee Mills mall after an armed person threatened a woman and responding officers, leading to a standoff Tuesday afternoon.
The Gurnee Police Department responded around 3:40 p.m. Tuesday to Gurnee Mills, 6170 West Grand Avenue in Gurnee, for a report of a person threatening someone else.
Gurnee Police Department Public Information Officer Shawn Gaylor said a 19-year-old man was threatening to hit a female inside the mall.
Officers encountered the suspect sitting inside a store.
The man turned his threats toward the responding officers by brandishing a knife.
“In a highly coordinated and measured response, Gurnee officers worked to resolve the situation peacefully, utilizing de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention strategies,” Gaylor said.
“Throughout the incident, officers maintained the safety of the public, ensuring that no one in the vicinity was harmed,” she added.
Officers were seen armed with rifles and shields inside the mall.
A standoff ensued but the “tense situation” came to an end after the suspect, who was in a mental health crisis, was taken into custody without further incident.
The man was provided with medical care and mental health support, Gaylor said.
“The courage and compassion demonstrated by our officers today are a testament to their commitment to serving and protecting our community,” Gurnee Police Chief Brian Smith said.
“In situations like these, our priority is always the safety and well-being of everyone involved, and I’m proud of the way our team handled this challenging incident,” Smith said.
Charges have not been announced against the suspect.
The Gurnee Police Department thanked the public for their cooperation during the incident and said they encourage anyone in need of mental health support to seek help through available community resources.