Investigators have released new details and say officers were responding to a well-being check when they opened fire and fatally shot a 59-year-old man armed with a knife in Highland Park.
The Highland Park Police Department responded around 4:53 a.m. Friday to the 900 block of Half Day Road in Highland Park for a well-being check.
Lake County Major Crime Task Force Spokesman Christopher Covelli said officers received a call from a concerned driver who was passing by the area.
They reported seeing someone lying in the roadway and the person was nearly struck by a vehicle.
The caller stated the subject stood up and stumbled into a residence in the 900 block of Half Day Road.
Covelli said three Highland Park Police Officers responded to the scene but did not locate the man outside.
They knocked on the door of the address provided by the caller.
A man, identified as a 59-year-old who lived at the residence, abruptly exited the home armed with a knife.
The officers immediately retreated and gave the man multiple instructions to drop the knife, Covelli said.
The man reportedly advanced toward them with the knife raised.
He continued charging at the officers and threatening them with the knife, Covelli said.
The officers discharged their firearms, striking the man. No one was inside the home at the time of the shooting.
Officers called for paramedics while beginning lifesaving measures.
The Highland Park Fire Department arrived at the scene at 5:04 a.m. Three ambulances were sent to the scene.
Lifesaving measures were unsuccessful and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
All of the officers involved were transported to the hospital for evaluations but no physical injuries were reported.
The Highland Park Police Department called the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force to conduct an independent investigation.
The task force will assume responsibility for the investigation in accordance with state law.
Half Day Road was shut down between Western Avenue and Compton Avenue due to the police activity.
“While there is no threat to public safety, please avoid the area if possible to allow investigators to work,” city officials said.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office responded and is in the process of scheduling an autopsy on the man, whose identity has not been released.