West Dundee police are investigating a shots-fired incident that happened Wednesday afternoon along the 400 block of Edwards Avenue, the second call for emergency service in the area near Dundee Highlands Elementary School in as many days.
According to a police news release, shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday, people in two vehicles argued. The cause of how and where the dispute began were unknown to police as of late Wednesday afternoon.
At some point, the vehicles traveled onto Edwards Avenue, just west of Ryan Lane, according to the report, and shots were fired. That intersection is close to a lot and a side entrance for Dundee Highlands Elementary School.
A resident who lives not far from where the incident happened told The Courier News she heard what sounded like two gunshots around 1:50 p.m. Witnesses told police the vehicles immediately fled from the area.
Officers from multiple agencies canvassed and searched the area to ensure no one was injured, to attempt to locate anyone involved, and to preserve and recover potential evidence. While several spent shell casings were recovered from the scene, there are no reports of injuries or residential property damage, the release said.
As this happened not far from Dundee Highlands, police were in immediate communication with school officials, who put safety protocols in place. Students typically are released from the school for the day at 2:15 p.m., but were kept at least an extra half hour before being sent home on Wednesday.
Police said the shots-fired incident was not related to the school whatsoever, nor was it related to an incident on Tuesday where an alleged reckless prank by a high school student resulted in the elementary school activating its safety protocols that day as well.
An 18-year-old Algonguin man who is a senior at Jacobs High School in Algonquin is facing disorderly conduct charges for the Tuesday incident. Shortly before 2:30 p.m. that day, several people called police to report a man brandishing what appeared to be an assault rifle had been arguing with people who were inside a car in the after-school pickup line at Highlands. The weapon turned out to be a water gun, and the teen and those in the car were playing a game called senior assassin, police said.
Police said that there is no active threat to the public and there have been no reported injuries from Wednesday’s shots-fired incident. More information will be made available when appropriate, and the public’s patience is greatly appreciated, the release said.
Anyone with information about the shooting should call the West Dundee Police Department at 847-551-3810.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.