Evanston Police provide update on 900 block of Michigan investigation
Squad cars
Evanston, IL - The Evanston Police Department responded to reports of a potentially emotionally disturbed individual involved in a battery in the 900 block of Michigan Avenue.

The initial investigation indicated that the individual involved may have fled the scene prior to officers’ arrival, or may have returned to a unit inside the building. There were no shots fired as part of this incident; however, the presence of firearms inside the home and the assessed emotional state of the individual prompted the Evanston Police Department to issue a soft lockdown for Lincoln Elementary School, which is in the immediate vicinity, as a precautionary measure to ensure safety. This lockdown was then expanded to include all Evanston K-12 schools and daycares after the police investigation indicated the individual may have entered the downtown area. The citywide lockdown was lifted prior to dismissal. Schools remaining on lockdown dismissed students with additional police presence.  

Neighboring police departments, including the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS), were called in to assist with the Evanston Police Department’s investigation, providing additional police resources. NIPAS secured the individual’s residence. The individual was not on scene and has not yet been located. The execution of a search warrant did lead to the recovery of firearms from the residence.

Update

The Evanston Police Detective Bureau has continued its investigation into the March 17 incident. The investigation has revealed the following:

 - The threats made by the individual were limited to family and/or family associates, law enforcement, and self.
 - Even though police cannot rule out the possibility that the individual is in the area, the individual does not have another residence in Evanston and most of his social and family network exists outside of Evanston.
 - Based on the totality of the investigation, police conclude there is no current threat to the public.
 - The individual is not in custody and his identity is not being released at this time. The Evanston Police Department acknowledges that regardless of any potential criminal liability, the involved individual is in need of care. The  - individual’s need for care is a factor in the investigation and determining what information is being released

-END-