VIDEO: Police response to a report of “shots fired” near Wings Street and Chestnut Avenue in Arlington Heights.
Arlington Heights police responded about 5:21 PM Saturday to a report of “shots fired” and a man with a gun at 1 North Chestnut Avenue Arlington Heights, IL. Police received a report that a man fired two shots in the air. Police quickly determined that the “shots fired” scene was in a condominium unit of a luxury condominium building at 151 West Wing Street — directly south of the Jewel-Osco store at 122 North Vail Avenue. The scene was actually, just north of the initial response address. Police heard another shot or two immediately after they arrived on the scene.
Police then responded to the man’s residence just north of the initial scene on an upper floor of the condominium building at 151 West Wing Street. Police quickly worked to pinpoint the location, and sizeup the scene. They also worked to minimize the threat to neighbors and the man’s mother. The man apparently had called his mother because he didn’t feel well. For some reason he fired a handgun, but it is not believed that he fired the weapon at his mother. The man’s mother was able to get the handgun away from her son, and she was able to exit the apartment with police assistance. The man, believed to be 38-years-old, barricaded himself inside the unit. Police Captain Kenneth Galinski reported that the reason for the full force response of the police was for the protection of citizens downtown and for the protection of the man involved in the incident. Police also could not confirm that there were no additional weapons in the man’s residence on the sixth floor.
PHOTOS: SWAT/NIPAS PHOTOS NEAR WING STREET AND CHESTNUT AVENUE …
The on-scene police commander at the emergency call determined that a mutual aid response, including the NIPAS Emergency Services Team (Northern Illinois Police Alarm System) or SWAT response was necessary because of the density of population in the building and the surrounding downtown area. The incident occurred on an upper floor on the south side of the building.
The man surrendered about 8:38 p.m. Saturday and was immediately checked by Arlington Heights firefighter/paramedics and transported to a local hospital. No injuries, no trauma and no gunshot wounds were reported.
The Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) personnel were immediately released, and the perimeter setup by police was immediately broken down so pedestrian traffic could resume. Vehicle traffic on Wing Street remained blocked for about an hour after the incident was secured.
The barricade/standoff situation was not the typical incident because downtown Arlington Heights has a busy group of restaurants — especially on Saturday nights during good weather when diners enjoy outdoor dining/seating arrangements. Armand’s Pizzeria, Ttowa Korean restaurant, and Tuscan Market were especially affected as all or part of their business entrances face Wing Street. All pedestrians on both sides of the Union Pacific/Metra railroad tracks were witness to the arrival of police vehicles from all over the north, northwest, and west suburbs; and armored vehicles and tactical vehicles from NIPAS.
PRESS CONFERENCE: Captain Kenneth Galinski, Arlington Heights Police Department talks to press in front of 151 West Wing Street — a luxury condominium building in downtown Arlington Heights.
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Luxury Condominium building at 151 West Wing Street in Arlington Heights.
INITIAL BREAKING REPORT SATURDAY EVENING …
Arlington Heights police responded about 5:21 PM Saturday to a report of shots fired and a man with a gun at 1 North Chestnut Avenue Arlington Heights, IL. Police received a report that a man fired two shots in the air. The man may still be armed and the situation appears to be developing into a barricade situation.The scene location was updated to a condo building on the 100 block of West Wing Street near the initial 1 North Chestnut Avenue address.
Arlington Heights police have called in additional police departments and SWAT personnel.
Expect street closures near Wing Street, Campbell Street, Ridge Avenue and west of Jewel-Osco.
The man was in custody by about 8:40 p.m. and the perimeter was broken down shortly after he was in custody. The man was transported to a local hospital by Arlington Heights Fire Department firefighter/paramedics.
REPORT, MORE PICTURES AND VIDEO DEVELOPING OVERNIGHT …
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