DIXON, Ill. – Authorities in northern Illinois reported a “mass casualty incident” on Wednesday after multiple people were shot in the Lost Lake community near Dixon. Ambulances and two medical helicopters rushed to the scene, accompanied by a significant police presence.
According to a statement on the Winnebago Boone & Ogle County Fire/Ems Incidents Facebook page, three individuals were transported to Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon for treatment. The Ogle County Sheriff’s Department declined to comment when contacted by reporters, indicating that a news conference would be held later in the day.
Aerial footage from local media outlets showed a heavy law enforcement presence in the area, with vehicles lining the unpaved roads and officials gathering in clusters. The neighborhood was cordoned off with yellow police tape, and a mobile command center from the Ogle County sheriff’s office was stationed nearby.
Lost Lake is known as a “country style community” with around 700 property owners residing in the unincorporated region near Dixon, Franklin Grove, and Oregon, approximately 100 miles west of Chicago. The tranquil area was disrupted by the violent incident, leaving residents and authorities shocked and on edge.
As details continue to emerge about the shooting and the individuals involved, the community remains on high alert. Law enforcement officials are working tirelessly to piece together what transpired and bring those responsible to justice. The close-knit neighborhood is grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy, hoping for swift resolution and a return to peace and safety.