Libertyville police search for missing man who is believed to be distraught

The search for a 30-year-old Libertyville man who went missing from his home after telling people he intended to hurt himself, continued Tuesday evening, authorities said.

The ex-Army veteran is believed distraught and suicidal, and may be armed with a handgun, Libertyville Police Lt. Bill Kinast said. The missing man has not threatened to harm anyone other than himself, Kinast said.

The Daily Herald has chosen not to identify the man.

As a precaution, students in the five Libertyville Elementary District 70 schools were kept inside during the day and a field trip was canceled. School let out as normal with extra staff observing.

Libertyville High School also was on "soft lockdown," meaning the perimeter doors were locked and anyone wishing to enter the building through the front or rear entrances had to be let in by security. Senior lunch release was canceled and driver's ed students were not allowed to drive. After-school activities and athletic practices were held, although additional security was in the building and access points were limited.

The missing man stands 6-feet, 1-inch tall, weighs about 175 pounds, has blond hair and blue eyes, Kinast said. He may be wearing a black or green Carhartt-style jacket with numerous military patches, a gray shirt, tan military-style boots, and a camouflage skull cap with a red spider logo.

Libertyville Police have been working with other agencies, including K9 tracking dogs and a search helicopter, to check the surrounding area since he left his First Avenue home on foot at 6 p.m. Monday, Kinast said.

Anyone with information that may be useful are urged to call Libertyville Police at (847) 362-8310.