The coroner has released the identity of a 46-year-old man who was fatally shot by a SWAT team after the man reportedly fired shots during an hours-long standoff near Crystal Lake.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said they responded around 4:23 p.m. Thursday to the 300 block of South Briarwood Road in unincorporated Crystal Lake for a domestic dispute.
A 911 caller reported a man was yelling and fighting with family members at the residence.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and encountered a male suspect armed with a rifle.
Sheriff’s officials said the gunman barricaded himself in the residence.
McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein identified the suspect on Friday as Darrick Lawrence, 46, of Crystal Lake.
Deputies shortly after reported shots being fired from the house by the suspect, according to police radio traffic.
Other people who were inside the home were safely evacuated as deputies surrounded the area.
Additional police resources and the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Jurisdictional SWAT Team and Hostage Negotiation Team were called to assist.
A police command post was established nearby at the Lakewood Police Department.
The sheriff’s office issued an alert saying that heavy police activity was in the area of Briarwood Road and North Avenue due to the incident and asked people to avoid the area.
The Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department responded and staged nearby during the standoff.
Negotiators began communicating with Lawrence while snipers were set up in the area focused on the home, according to police radio traffic.
Sheriff’s officials said the Hostage Negotiation Team was in “active conversation” with Lawrence in an effort to get him out safely.
The negotiation efforts failed and a “deputy-involved shooting” occurred, the sheriff’s office said.
A robot and a drone were eventually deployed and the SWAT team entered the residence around 7:30 p.m. after firing shots at Lawrence.
Officers entered and found Lawrence had been struck by the gunfire during the deputy-involved shooting. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheriff’s officials said around 9:15 p.m. that the situation was no longer active but Briarwood Road between North Avenue and Gilbert Avenue remained closed for the investigation.
The Major Investigation Assistance Team (MIAT), McHenry County Coroner’s Office and McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office are investigating in accordance with department policy and state law.
Interviews and evidence, including a review of body-worn camera footage, will be conducted by MIAT.
The McHenry County Coroner’s Office has scheduled an autopsy on Lawrence for Friday afternoon.