The coroner has released the identities of a female Navy sailor who was fatally shot in the head by a male gunman who police say then turned the gun on himself at a naval housing complex in North Chicago.
The North Chicago Police Department and Naval Station Great Lakes Fire Department responded around 8:08 p.m. Friday to the 2300 block of California Avenue in North Chicago for a report of a shooting.
Officers arrived and found two subjects who had been shot, according to the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek identified them on Tuesday as Olivia Lacey, 36, of North Chicago, and John Taylor, 39, of North Chicago.
Lacey and Taylor were both pronounced dead at the scene.
Banek said autopsies were performed on Tuesday on the subjects and both died as a result of a single gunshot wound to the head.
Sources told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that the incident possibly began with an argument involving the two outside of a house.
Witnesses at the scene told investigators that Taylor was armed with a gun and shot Lacey before shooting himself.
North Chicago Police Chief Lazaro Perez told Lake and McHenry County Scanner on Tuesday that an investigation showed the incident was a “murder-suicide.”
Perez confirmed the narrative that Lacey, an active Military service member, was shot by Taylor before he then fatally shot himself.
The shooting occurred in Forrestal Village, which is located near Naval Station Great Lakes and houses active duty Military members and their families.
Naval Station Great Lakes Public Affairs Officer Matt Mogle said the Naval Base was aware of the incident that occurred in Navy housing.
“We mourn the loss of our shipmate and extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and coworkers of the Sailor and the other individual involved,” Mogle said.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected during this difficult time. Grief counseling and support services are available through the chain of command and the command chaplain,” Mogle said.
Officials draped a United States flag over Lacey’s body as she was transported from the scene to the coroner’s office.
The North Chicago Police Department is leading the investigation.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) also responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.
Banek said that while investigators believe the incident was “isolated,” the case remains under investigation.