Man With Shotgun, Gun Surrenders On Ruth Fitzgerald Drive: JPD

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department's SWAT team and crisis negotiation unit convinced 41-year-old Ruth Fitzgerald resident Eric Compton to surrender peacefully after he threatened to harm himself with his guns, Joliet police reports show.

After Compton underwent a mental health evaluation at the St. Joe's hospital, Joliet police brought him to the Will County Jail, where he faces two charges of: unlawful possession of a gun with a revoked FOID plus an outstanding arrest warrant from the Lewis University Police Department for aggravated assault and disorderly conduct.

Compton lives in a rental house in the Plainfield area, in the 3000 block of Ruth Fitzgerald Drive, and that's where Monday's daytime standoff took place.

Joliet police called in its Special Operation Squad and Crisis Negotiator Team after "it was learned that the resident had threatened to harm himself," police spokesman Dwayne English announced.

At Compton's address, Joliet police learned he had an active Lewis University arrest warrant, that he may be armed with a gun and was the only person inside the home, police revealed.

"After speaking to a crisis negotiator by phone, Compton willingly exited the residence and surrendered to waiting members of the Special Operations Squad," English noted.

Officers recovered a shotgun, a .40 caliber handgun, and ammunition from inside Compton's rental unit, which is in the Plainfield area of Joliet.

Police later learned that Compton’s FOID was previously revoked.

By 8:45 p.m. Compton was booked into the Will County Jail. His bail was set at $150,000.