Signs of struggle noted at crime scene
Fox Lake Police Lt. Joseph Gliniewicz was shot and killed with his own weapon following what appeared to be a struggle, investigators in the case said Thursday.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the case as a homicide, Commander George Filenko of the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force told those gathered for a press conference in Fox Lake last week.
“There were indications there was a struggle at the crime scene,” Filenko said, however, he did not expound on what those indications were.
Gliniewicz, a 30-year veteran of the department, was shot twice – the first shot hitting his protective vest at his side and the second, fatal shot, piercing his upper left chest, Filenko said.
The first shot was deemed incapacitating by forensic experts investigating the case, he said.
“It would be similar to that of a sledgehammer hitting you in the side,” Filenko said.
Gliniewicz, 52, died while on duty early Sept. 1.
According to the dispatch, Gliniewicz radioed in at 7:52 a.m. on the morning of his death to say he was pursuing three males – two white, one black – who appeared to be acting suspicious near the intersection of Highway 12 and Sayton Road in Fox Lake.
The area where the shooting took place is described as desolate with empty fields and abandoned buildings. Gliniewicz was pursing the three men on foot when dispatchers lost contact with him.
His body was found by responding officers just after 8 a.m.
The two responding officers immediately began to search for the suspects. Gliniewicz’s service pistol was missing when he was found. The firearm, which had been fired, was recovered near the scene two days later.
A manhunt was launched shortly after Gliniewicz’s body was discovered and the effort utilized over 400 additional police focusing on an area of approximately two square miles. The search, which included helicopters and military style equipment, concluded over 14 hours later.
The suspects in the case remained at large as of early this week.