Prosecutors say a man launched a “vicious” unprovoked attack on employees at a motel in Gurnee where he struck one in the head with a baseball bat and punched a second after becoming upset over cleaning supplies.
Cameron R. Scott, 35, of Gurnee, was charged with battery with a deadly weapon, a Class 3 felony, and aggravated battery in a public place, a Class 3 felony.
The Gurnee Police Department and Gurnee Fire Department responded around 10:55 a.m. Tuesday to the Gurnee Motel, formerly the FairBridge Inn Express, located at 3740 Grand Avenue, for a report of a disturbance involving multiple people.
Gurnee Police Department Public Information Officer Shawn Gaylor said that staff at the business called 911 after Scott, who was a patron, was involved in a verbal dispute with one of the employees.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Hillary Price Cohen said Scott is a long-term guest at the motel and had been staying there for approximately three weeks.
He had told staff that he did not want anyone to come in and clean his room and usually asks for cleaning supplies to clean his own room, Price Cohen said.
Price Cohen said the argument with the employee was over Scott becoming unhappy with the smell or amount of cleaning supplies that he was given.
“During the incident, Scott went behind the counter and entered a restricted area of the business, where the argument continued,” Gaylor said.
“As the clerk attempted to retrieve a baseball bat from beneath the counter, Scott struck her in the head with his fist,” Gaylor added.
Scott struck the woman in the head so hard that she was knocked back and suffered ringing in her ears moments after she had said she was going to call his father, who pays his motel bill, Price Cohen said.
The man also allegedly called the victim a slur before the attack.
Scott took the metal baseball bat but the woman was able to take it back and strike Scott in the ribcage with it, Price Cohen said.
Additional employees responded after hearing the disturbance.
Scott allegedly charged at the other employees and struck a hotel manager in the back of the head with the bat.
His head split open and blood went everywhere, Price Cohen said. A struggle ensued over the bat and Scott struck the manager in the front of his body with the bat, Price Cohen said.
Another employee tried to stop Scott from striking the manager again with the bat. All three went to the ground as Scott continued swinging the bat and the employees tried to stop him, Price Cohen said.
It took three employees to restrain Scott on the ground until Gurnee police officers arrived.
The officers arrived and saw several people in the parking lot who were holding Scott on the ground.
A total of four ambulances from the Gurnee Fire Department, along with a fire engine and the shift commander, responded to the scene, Gurnee Battalion Fire Chief Tim Steffens said.
Firefighter/paramedics took three employees to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville to be evaluated for their injuries.
“Scott was also transported to the hospital for evaluation of injuries sustained during the incident,” Gaylor said.
Steffens said all four sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Price Cohen said the manager who was attacked with the bat suffered a large laceration to the head.
A fifth person was evaluated by paramedics but refused to be transported to the hospital.
Crime scene tape was set up at a portion of the parking lot by the front doors of the motel.
Blood was seen on the ground of several portions of the crime scene.
A blood-soaked towel, G-Shock watch and face mask were left behind.
Officers were seen taking photos and processing evidence both inside and outside the motel.
Scott appeared at the Lake County Courthouse for a First Appearance Court hearing on Wednesday morning and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain him pending trial.
Price Cohen said the “vicious attack” was unprovoked and was caught on video surveillance.
A detention hearing was held on Wednesday afternoon. Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Savannah Halcomb said during the hearing that Scott has “clear issues” in containing his anger.
Scott interrupted court proceedings during both hearings and had to be repeatedly told by judges not to interject.
A public defender for Scott argued for his release and said that the worker struck Scott first with the bat and that Scott felt like he was the victim.
The attorney acknowledged that Scott has serious mental health issues and the incident possibly was the result of a medication issue.
Lake County Judge James Newman granted the petition to detain Scott after saying the defendant was not going to follow any conditions he might impose on him if he were to be released.
Scott remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on June 24 for a preliminary hearing.