Highland Park Police Find Gunshot Victim In Sunset Woods Park

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Highland Park Hospital was locked down Monday following a report of someone with a gun in Sunset Woods Park, authorities said.

Officers found man dead in the park, and it appeared he had fatally shot themselves, according to police and city staff.

Police were called to the 700 block of Park Avenue West around 2:40 p.m. for a report of a possible gunshot victim in the park, it said.

Hospital staff later got word from an unspecified source suggesting there was possibly an armed person in the area, according to staff. The hospital was placed on lockdown and police searched the facility and its surroundings.

The report of the person with a gun was related to the police activity in the park, and police determined there was no threat to the public, according to the statement.

Police later said the dead man was identified as a 50-year-old Highland Park resident.

Highland Park police and the Lake County coroner's office have opened death investigations into the incident. Coroner Howard Cooper, who is tasked with ruling on the manner of death, has not responded to inquiries about the incident.

Over 44,000 Americans die by suicide each year, and in Illinois, one person dies by suicide every six hours, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Anyone who needs someone to speak with is encouraged to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 74174 or visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.