A quiet Homer Glen cul-de-sac turned tense Sunday morning when sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of gunfire and ordered residents to shelter in place. A heavy law enforcement presence, including specialized units, flooded the subdivision as investigators worked to lock down the scene. Neighbors were told to stay inside, lock their doors and steer clear of the immediate area while officers tried to figure out what was going on.
Deputies were called just after 8:30 a.m. to the 16100 block of Twin Oak Court after a neighbor reported hearing shots. Deputies say they also heard gunfire when they arrived, which triggered the shelter-in-place order, according to NBC Chicago. The Will County Sheriff’s Office set up a perimeter around a home and notified nearby residents to remain indoors while the investigation got underway.
SWAT and negotiators on scene
The Will County Sheriff’s Office activated its SWAT team along with a crisis-negotiations unit, which arrived within about an hour, according to Fox 32 Chicago. Officers used the perimeter to contain the area while negotiators worked to make contact with anyone inside the residence.
By around 9:45 a.m., a person of interest had been taken into custody and deputies started clearing the perimeter, local reporters said, according to Patch. Investigators continued processing the scene, and authorities had not released the person’s name or indicated whether any charges would follow.
Road closures and reverse 911 alerts
Deputies issued a reverse 911 alert instructing residents in the immediate area to shelter in place and warning drivers to avoid the neighborhood while the situation was being investigated. Several nearby streets were shut down, with traffic diverted and officers stationed at key intersections as evidence was gathered, local updates reported by Shaw Local said.
As of initial reports, it was not clear whether anyone had been injured or what sparked the gunfire, Fox 32 Chicago noted. The sheriff’s office said it would release more information once details were confirmed and asked anyone with video or eyewitness accounts to contact investigators to help piece together the timeline.
Neighborhood on edge
The scare comes on the heels of another troubling incident in the village earlier this month that led to a mayoral warning about public safety, as reported by NBC Chicago. Local leaders have been urging residents to stay alert and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
The Will County Sheriff’s Office had not yet released a full investigative summary at the time of initial reporting. Residents with tips or security footage were directed to reach the department through its website at Will County Sheriff’s Office or by calling the non-emergency line. Officials said further updates would be provided as detectives review statements and process evidence from the scene.
