McCONNELL — The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) released information regarding an incident that occurred late Saturday evening, Nov. 7, which resulted in a vehicle pursuit and the death of a 36-year-old male.

At approximately 11:36 p.m., a Stephenson County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of East South Street in Dakota, Illinois, following a 911 call in which no background noise was heard. Attempts by dispatch personnel to contact the caller were initially unsuccessful.

As the deputy arrived in the area, the caller contacted 911 again and reported that her former boyfriend had been at her residence and had held her at gunpoint. The caller provided a description of the suspect’s vehicle and a possible direction of travel.

Shortly thereafter, the responding deputy observed a vehicle matching the description provided by the caller. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver failed to stop, resulting in a vehicle pursuit.

The pursuit continued out of Dakota and onto McConnell Road, with speeds remaining at or below posted speed limits. During the pursuit, an assisting deputy successfully deployed a tire deflation device, which deflated the suspect vehicle’s left front tire. The vehicle eventually came to a stop on McConnell Road near Red Oak Road.

As deputies exited their patrol vehicles following the stop, they heard a loud bang originating from the area of the suspect vehicle. Upon approaching the vehicle, deputies discovered the 36-year-old male driver suffering from a gunshot wound to the head, with a handgun in his hand.

Leamon’s Ambulance responded to the scene and initiated lifesaving measures. The male was transported to Mercyhealth Hospital in Freeport, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

No SCSO personnel discharged their firearms during this incident. No law enforcement personnel were injured, and the female who initially contacted 911 was not physically injured.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death has been turned over to the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation. This referral is a procedural measure intended to ensure an independent, fair, and impartial investigation, as SCSO personnel were actively involved in the incident preceding the individual’s death. The SCSO is cooperating fully with the Illinois State Police investigation.