Crime & Safety

Crystal Lake Woman was Victim in Arlington Hts. Police Shooting, Hostage Standoff

Crystal Lake woman was tracked by former boyfriend, Eric M. Anderson, of Niles, to her mother's house in Arlington Heights where he shot a police officer.

Crystal Lake Police have confirmed the victim in the Arlington Heights police shooting and hostage standoff Thursday night is a 39-year-old Crystal Lake woman.

Her captor and former boyfriend, Eric M. Anderson, 41, of Niles, was arrested by Crystal Lake Police just this past Sunday, Dec. 8. He was charged with two counts of electronic harassment, Crystal Lake Police Cmdr. Dan Dziewior said. 

Dziewior confirmed the victim in the harassment case is the same woman taken hostage at gunpoint by Anderson on Thursday night. Police would not release the woman's name, however, as victim's identities are protected, he said.

Anderson was shot and killed by police at about 11 p.m. Dec. 12, following a three-hour hostage situation with Arlington Heights Police. 

Police were summoned to the home in the 1900 block of Windham Court in Arlington Heights just before 7 p.m.

Anderson had apparently tracked the Crystal Lake woman to the house, which is owned by her mother. The mother was able to flee the house before police arrived, the news release states. 

Arlington Heights Police officer Michael McEvoy, 52, was first to respond to the call, which reported a man inside the house with a gun. Upon entering the house, McEvoy was shot once in the face, according to police. 

Three other Arlington Heights police officers on the scene were able to provide cover and pull McEvoy out of the home to a point of safety.

Find out what's happening in Crystal Lake-Carywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

McEvoy is currently listed in stable condition, according to Arlington Heights Police. He has been with the Arlington Heights police force for 23 years.

The hostage situation ensued for several hours while police talked to Anderson on the telephone, trying to convince him to surrender. SWAT teams were called to the scene.

Find out what's happening in Crystal Lake-Carywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Eventually, just before 11 p.m., Anderson exited the house and walked into the garage. Anderson had his former girlfriend with him, and, at that time, he raised his gun and pointed it at the police officers, police said. 

Officers fired three shots and hit Anderson. He was provided immediate medical attention and transported to Northwest Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, according to police. 

The Crystal Lake woman was not harmed. 

The Arlington Heights Police Department was assisted by NIPAS-Emergency Services Team.

Several other media sources are reporting the Crystal Lake woman had only dated Anderson briefly, having broken off the relationship in November. She had secured an order of protection from McHenry County just this past Monday, Dec. 9, the media sources stated. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.