Bear spray attack hospitalizes Lake County deputy

A Lake County sheriff’s deputy was hospitalized Monday after being exposed to bear spray while performing a well-being check in Libertyville.

The deputy was assisting the sheriff’s Crisis Outreach and Support Team who were serving a “mental health writ” just after 7 a.m. to a 41-year-old man living on the 200 block of Pond Ridge Road.

The writ allows authorities to take someone in custody and transport them to a mental health facility for care and evaluation. In this case, the writ was issued after the man began exhibiting concerning behaviors like punching holes in walls, paranoia, not sleeping and having “unpredictable” outbursts, authorities said.

When deputies arrived at his home, the man was in his bedroom and deputies attempted to coax him out and into custody, authorities said. However, other deputies stationed outside the home could see into the room and spotted him holding a hatchet.

Eventually, the man was convinced to put the hatchet down, but when deputies entered his room, the man grabbed a canister of bear spray, spraying multiple deputies including one directly in the eyes.

Deputies used a Taser to subdue the man.

One deputy and the man were transported to a hospital for treatment, while six other deputies were treated at the scene by paramedics and released.

Authorities added that while at the hospital, the man kicked a nurse. Officials said they will seek criminal charges related to that incident as well as the bear spray attack.