Police fatally shoot man pointing replica gun in north suburban Highwood

A Highwood police officer fatally shot a suicidal and intoxicated man who pointed a replica pistol at them on Thursday evening, authorities say.

Officers were called to a home in the northern suburb around 4:45 p.m. in the 200 block of Morgan Place to check on a man who was allegedly “highly intoxicated” and “suicidal,” according to a statement from the Lake County Major Crime Task Force.

The caller, a relative not at the home, said the man’s ex-girlfriend was inside with him. When officers arrived at the home, they learned the man had locked himself in the bathroom and tried to get him to come out, according to the statement.

The man told officers he was armed and he hoped they were wearing their bulletproof vests, the statement said. The man then burst out of the bathroom and pointed a replica pistol at the cops. One officer fired at him, according to the statement.

Police and paramedics on scene provided the man aid until he was taken to a nearby hospital, according to Lake County. The man, whose name was not released, was later pronounced dead.

Investigators with the Lake County Major Crime Task Force are conducting an independent investigation into the incident.