Dixon, Illinois – Multiple individuals have been reported shot in a tragic incident that unfolded on Wednesday in northern Illinois. Local authorities are handling the situation as a “mass casualty incident,” which has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community.
Emergency response units, including ambulances and two medical helicopters, swiftly descended upon the Lost Lake community near Dixon in response to the distressing situation. The presence of law enforcement personnel was particularly prominent, with a significant police contingent securing the area, as reported by the Winnebago Boone & Ogle County Fire/Ems Incidents Facebook page.
🚨#BREAKING [1]: Numerous agencies are on the scene to a mass casualty incident where multiple people have been shot⁰⁰📌#Dixon [2] | #Illinois [3]⁰⁰Currently, numerous law enforcement and emergency personnel are on the scene of a mass casualty incident inside a gated community near Lost… pic.twitter.com/ifaFS9FOFy [4]
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) June 12, 2024 [5]
According to a hospital spokesperson at Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon, three injured individuals were rushed to the facility’s emergency department for immediate medical attention. The extent of their injuries is yet to be disclosed.
While the investigation is ongoing, The Associated Press reached out to the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department for further details, but the person answering the call declined to comment. However, the department’s official website confirmed that a news conference is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., where more information is expected to be shared.
🚨BREAKING: MASS SHOOTING IN ILLINOIS
Multiple people have been shot in the Lost Lake gated community in rural Dixon, Illinois.
KSB Hospital confirms 5 transported and 3 “received” from a shooting incident in the 400 block of Wild Rice Lane.
Source: Police Frequency, WTVO pic.twitter.com/GrZXdqWlOB [6]
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 12, 2024 [7]
Aerial footage captured by local media on Wednesday afternoon provided a glimpse into the unsettling scene. In the vicinity of the neighborhood, law enforcement and personal vehicles were seen parked along unpaved roads. Officials periodically gathered in small groups, though minimal ongoing activity was observed. Yellow police tape cordoned off at least one driveway, and an Ogle County sheriff’s mobile command center was positioned at the end of the drive.
Situated near Dixon, Franklin Grove, and Oregon, Lost Lake is described by its property owner’s association as a serene and rustic “country style community.” It boasts approximately 700 property owners and is located around 100 miles (160 kilometers) to the west of Chicago, adding to the shock and concern experienced by the region due to this unforeseen incident.
As the investigation unfolds and the community grapples with the aftermath, residents and authorities are left seeking answers and solidarity in their pursuit of justice and healing.