Cop Fires After Child Points Replica Gun: Round Lake Beach PD

ROUND LAKE BEACH, IL — A Round Lake Beach Police Department officer fired a gun at a juvenile Wednesday evening after the child pointed a replica firearm, which authorities said looked like a handgun, at the officer, according to police.

The bullet did not hit the juvenile, and both the juvenile and the officer were taken to area hospitals for observation. The officer has since been released from the hospital, according to a news release from the Round Lake Beach Police Department.

The Round Lake Beach Police Department was first called to 1300 block of Ridgeway Avenue at about 6 p.m. for a report of a person with a gun. The person who reported the incident told dispatchers the juvenile had pointed the gun at him, according to authorities.

When officers confronted the juvenile, the juvenile turned and pointed the gun at them. The officer then fired his gun, but did not hit the juvenile, police said.

While investigating the incident, authorities learned the gun was a replica firearm that looked "exactly like a handgun," police said.

The shooting remains under investigation by the Round Lake Beach Police Department and the Lake County State's Attorney's Office.