Friday, March 17, 2023   |   View in browser

Evanston Police, NIPAS declare 900 block of Michigan Avenue secure as investigation continues

EVANSTON, IL - The Evanston Police Department and the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) have determined the 900 block of Michigan Avenue is secure following an earlier incident involving an emotionally disturbed individual.

Late this afternoon, NIPAS officers made entry into the individual’s residence. The individual was not present, and the area is now secure. Roads are being reopened as police clear the scene. A smaller police presence will remain as the investigation continues.  

A shelter-in-place order has not been issued, and police do not believe there is a danger to the general public; however, community members are encouraged to contact the Evanston Police Department at 911 to report any safety issues or suspicious behavior. 

Background

On March 17 at approximately 11 a.m., 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. 

Neighboring police departments, including NIPAS, were called in to assist with the Evanston Police Department’s investigation, providing additional police resources. With this increase in police presence and resources, at approximately 2:15 p.m., the Evanston Police determined that the communitywide school lockdown could safely be lifted with the exception of four schools (Lincoln, Park, Nichols and Chiaravalle) in the immediate area. Officers then facilitated dismissal at these schools to ensure safety.

Over the course of this investigation, police believed the individual returned to the location of the initial incident, which was the focus of the police/NIPAS response late this afternoon. 

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Media Relations: Commander Ryan Glew
rglew@cityofevanston.org
Phone: 847-866-5026