Lake Co. police shooting deemed justified

Lake County sheriff's deputies acted properly when they shot and wounded an Antioch Township woman who attacked them with a sword, an investigation has concluded.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Patricia Fix said Thursday the end of the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force probe into the Monday shooting cleared the way for criminal charges to be filed against the attacker.

Alison Hevrdejs, 54, who is recovering from bullet wounds to her right shoulder and buttocks, is charged with aggravated battery and aggravated assault.

Fix said police were called around 2 p.m. Monday by witnesses who saw Hevrdejs throwing things at cars and pouring gasoline in the roadway at Route 83 and Eagles Nest Road.

By the time deputies arrived, Fix said, Hevrdejs had retreated to her home at 40365 N. Route 83 and refused to allow the officers inside.

Neighbors told the deputies Hevrdejs was in treatment for mental health problems, and had recently stopped taking her medication, Fix said.

The deputies forced their way into the house, and authorities said Hevrdejs confronted them holding a large sword.

After repeated commands to drop the weapon were ignored, the deputies fired a Taser at the woman, but the device failed to shock her into compliance.

Fix said Hevrdejs advanced toward the deputies who continued to order her to drop the sword as they backed through the house.

Two shots were fired after Hevrdejs swung the sword and slightly injured the hand of one deputy, she said.

Fix said a court date for Hevrdejs will be scheduled when doctors determine she is fit to leave Condell Medical Center, where she remains under 24-hour guard.