Man Surrenders After 6-Hour Standoff With Police In New Lenox

NEW LENOX, IL — New Lenox police and Will County Sheriff's officers faced a six-hour standoff Monday with an armed man who they believed wanted to take his own life, according to Will County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Kathy Hoffmeyer.

At approximately 6 p.m. Monday, police responded to the 21000 block of Schoolhouse Road in New Lenox Township. Police spoke with two people at the scene who knew the man. Police are not releasing his name.

The two acquaintances told police that the man owned guns and had talked earlier in the day about taking his own life, police said.

Police entered the building and found the man with a gun. He told officers to "get out," according to police. Officers left the building, took cover, and requested SWAT negotiators at the scene.

Police then set up a safety perimeter around the area while a SWAT team surrounded the building, police said.

After around six hours of negotiations with the man, he eventually surrendered, police said. Officers collected his guns and took the man to an area hospital. He was unharmed.

Police said they recovered four long guns, but did specify what type of guns they were.

The Will County Sheriff's Office said the man is not facing any charges at this time.

New Lenox police referred questions back to the Will County Sheriff's Office, who declined to provide further information.

Anyone who is struggling can get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or by texting HOME to 741741.