Sledgehammer-Wielding Man Shot By Police ID'd By Coroner: Officials

ROUND LAKE BEACH, IL — A 22-year-old Round Lake Beach man has been identified as the person who was shot and killed by police after authorities said that the man had a sledgehammer and lunged at officers who were responding to a domestic dispute call, Lake County officials said on Thursday.

The man was identified as Brandon Barry, who lived in the 2200 block of Redwood Drive, and the Lake County Coroner said Barry died from multiple gunshot wounds after being shot by police, according to a news release issued on Thursday.

Police said they were called to the home just after 3 p.m. on Wednesday after receiving a 911 call from a woman who said that she and another woman were being beaten by a man with a sledgehammer, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said.

The two women made it out of the home and into an attached garage just before police arrived, police said.

Covelli said that Barry was in the doorway of the home with the sledgehammer and refused to drop the weapon. He then lunged at officers. Deputies used a Taser on Barry, but Covelli said it was ineffective. Another officer attempted to push Barry back with a shield before Covelli said that Barry made a move toward the officer with the sledgehammer, which prompted at least one officer to shoot Barry.

The two women who were inside the home sustained significant head and facial injuries but are expected to survive. Barry was pronounced dead at a local hospital after first responders attempted life-saving measures at the scene.

Three Lake County deputies have been placed on administrative leave in connection with the incident, Covelli said. The incident remains under investigation by the Lake County Major Crimes Unit.