A Zion man stabbed a relative, shot the family dog and put a toddler in a trash, can during an incident earlier this month, police said.
Arthur Scarborough, 22, is facing battery, weapons and animal cruelty charges after his arrest, police said.
Zion officers said they were called to the area of 31st Street and Gabriel Avenue after receiving what ZPD described as a “chaotic” 911 call around 11:15 a.m. on June 3.
Officers said they found a victim hiding nearby in the 1900 block of Carmel Avenue. The 18-year-old had a puncture wound to the jaw, and told police that Scarborough had stabbed them in a residence in the 3000 block of Gabriel Avenue.
Officers went there and said they saw Scarborough running outside and attempting to manipulate the lid on a garbage can. Inside the can, police said, was a 2-year-old child, who was uninjured.
Police said they learned that Scarborough had, several days before, consumed an illegal drug and had suffered a mental health crisis. On June 3, he entered his family’s Gabriel Avenue home and threatened family members with a gun. He then shot and killed the family’s French bulldog before taking the child and running away.
Scarborough was brought to a hospital for treatment and was released into police custody.
De-escalate violent situation
Lake County sheriff’s deputies were recently able to de-escalate a potentially violent situation with an armed man in Wauconda.
Officers were called to the 27700 block of North Orchard Drive at around 5 p.m. on June 3 for a report of a suicidal, intoxicated man armed with a gun.
The man exited his house armed with a gun as officers approached, and the officers were able to convince him to drop the weapon. Using de-escalation techniques, the deputies convinced the man to walk to them, and away from the gun.
The man was brought to the hospital for treatment and evaluation. Officers recovered the gun and several other guns inside the house, along with thousands of rounds of ammunition.
“Our deputies yet again slowed down the situation,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “They took their time to speak to the man in distress with compassion.
“This is another example of how the staff at the sheriff’s office, from our emergency dispatchers to those responding to the scene, utilize de-escalation skills, instead of force,” he said. “This is an example of what they do every single day.”
Community carnival
The Gun Violence Prevention Initiative is hosting a series of events in June to draw attention to firearm violence, culminating June 29 with a community carnival.
The carnival will start at noon at Cristo Rey St. Martin, 3106 Belvedere Road in Waukegan. The event, held in partnership with the Antmound Foundation, will have inflatables, obstacle courses, traditional carnival games, team-building activities and a resource fair.
“The community will be able to enjoy a fun-filled environment while having the opportunity to seek and find the appropriate resources they need from partners who provide youth programming, free mental health support, legal aid, and more,” event organizers said.
On a more reflective note, two vigils will be held to honor victims of gun violence. They will take place at Jesus Name Apostolic Church, 208 Lake St., Waukegan, on June 13 at 7 p.m., and at 10 a.m. on June 15.
A peace march will start at 2 p.m. on June 15 at the Boys and Girls Club, 724 S. Genesee St., Waukegan.
