Police Shoot Man Who Entered Station With A Gun And A Death Wish

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Apr 3, 2013 9:20PM

Police in Vernon Hills shot and wounded a man who entered the police station with what appeared to be a 9mm handgun, and afterward police found a note suggesting the man was trying to commit police-assisted suicide.

Howard R. Lazarus, 53, entered the station, pulled out the gun, pulled back the slide and walked toward the officer, who shot Lazarus twice in the abdomen.

After the shooting, police found a note in his pocket that stated, “I apologize for placing your officers in this position. I am dying from cancer and couldn’t do the deed myself.”

TribLocal writes:

Before Lazarus pulled out the gun, he told the officer that he had been in an accident in Mundelein, where he lives.

"The officer offered to give him a ride to the Mundelein Police Department," police said in a statement. "At that point, the subject pulled a handgun out of his coat pocket and pointed it at the officer."

Officer Sharon Joseph said the gun appeared to be real and the officer had no choice but to fire. "The suspect made moves to actually fire the weapon and the officer had no choice," she said.

The gun turned out to be a replica, and Lazarus is in fair condition. He has been charged with aggravated assault, and the officer has been placed on administrative leave pending investigation.