Gurnee Man Charged In Alleged Bat Attack

GURNEE — A long-term guest at a motel in Gurnee became angry with the cleaning methods at the business and started an argument that ended with him using a bat to injure three motel employees, including one who sustained a head injury, authorities said.

Gurnee police responded at about 11 a.m. on Monday to the FairBridge Inn Express in 3700 block of Grand Avenue for a report of a disturbance involving multiple individuals inside the business, according to a news release from the Gurnee Police Department.

According to preliminary findings, employees called 911 after a customer, identified as Cameron R. Scott, became involved in a verbal dispute with a clerk. Police said Scott then went behind the counter into a restricted area, where the confrontation escalated.

Scott, a long-term guest at the motel, had told employees he did not want anyone coming into his room to clean and preferred to handle that himself. He requested cleaning supplies from staff to clean his room and the argument Monday stemmed from his disdain over the smell or amount of cleaning supplies he was given, according to the Lake & McHenry County Scanner.

“During the incident, Scott went behind the counter and entered a restricted area of the business, where the argument continued,” police told the Lake & McHenry County Scanner.

The clerk attempted to retrieve a baseball bat from beneath the counter, and Scott allegedly struck her in the head with his fist. Investigators said Scott then took possession of the bat and struck the clerk with it.

Additional employees intervened after hearing the disturbance, at which point Scott allegedly charged at them and struck multiple staff members with the bat. One male employee sustained a head injury, according to a news release.

Employees were able to restrain Scott until officers arrived on scene. Responding officers found several individuals holding Scott in the parking lot and recovered a metal baseball bat, police said.

Three employees were transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center for treatment of their injuries. Scott was also taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Scott appeared in court on Wednesday for a detention hearing where a Lake County Circuit Court judge ordered he remain behind bars while court proceedings move forward, according to media reports.

Scott has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery following the attack, authorities said.