U.S. officials have confirmed that a Navy recruit was the victim who died after being shot at a gun range at Naval Station Great Lakes in Lake County Wednesday afternoon.
The Great Lakes Fire Department, Great Lakes Police Department and North Chicago Fire Department responded around 2 p.m. Wednesday to 3350 Illinois Street in Great Lakes for a report of a shooting.
An initial report indicated a person was shot but that it was not an active shooter incident.
Emergency crews arrived and found a victim who was unresponsive and lifesaving measures were performed.
The incident reportedly occurred at Building 7315 — the USS Wisconsin Firing Range — at Naval Station Great Lakes near North Chicago.
Police were seen around both Building 7315 and Building 7325, which are adjacent to each other. Building 7325 is the USS Missouri Simulated Small Arms Marksmanship Trainer.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office said the victim, an adult male, suffered a gunshot wound.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner’s office said they were called to the scene around 4:40 p.m.
An autopsy was scheduled to be performed on Thursday morning on the victim, whose identity has not been released.
The coroner’s office said the victim’s manner of death has not been determined.
Naval Service Training Command Public Affairs Officer Lt. Beau Nickerson said the Navy was “saddened to confirm” the death, which involved a recruit assigned to Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes.
“The Navy is providing full support to the family, friends, and shipmates affected by this tragic loss,” Nickerson said.
The Navy is withholding the name of the victim for 24 hours after official notification of the sailor’s next of kin.
“An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is underway. Out of respect for the family and to preserve the integrity of the investigative process, no further details will be released at this time,” Nickerson said.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) is investigating the death.
The incident occurred on the same day that a U.S. Army sergeant shot five soldiers at Fort Stewart in Georgia.