Standoff suspect was set for siege

Terry Galmore barricaded himself in a first-floor bedroom of the Waukegan house where he lived, and was prepared to stay for a while, police said Wednesday.

Galmore, 23, apparently killed himself to end a nearly 19-hour standoff with police after he was identified as a suspect in a Monday night home invasion.

During tense negotiations throughout the day, Galmore at times told police he was on the verge of surrendering, but never left the house on the 1600 block of 11th Street.

More Coverage Links Standoff lasted 19 hours

Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Daniel Greathouse said Wednesday that evidence police found when they entered the house after Galmore apparently fired one bullet from a .45-caliber pistol into his head calls into question his intentions.

All of the weapons and a large amount of ammunition stolen during the home invasion were found inside the room where Galmore died, Greathouse said.

"The rifles were stacked up against a wall, they were all fully loaded and extra ammunition was on the floor in front of them," he said. "Furniture inside the room had been stacked in a way to give him cover, and we believe he was preparing to stage a siege."

Greathouse said Galmore was recently freed on parole from state prison as a result of a 2004 aggravated robbery conviction, court records show.

He was one of five people who robbed a Gurnee fast food restaurant Nov. 18, 2003, stealing about $3,000 while driving a stolen car.

They were all charged with armed robbery, but the charge against Galmore was reduced in exchange for his guilty plea. He was sentenced to nine years in prison April 12, 2004.

When a woman identified Galmore as one of the suspects in the Monday night home invasion, detectives went to his house at 3 a.m. Tuesday. Police said he threatened the lives of anyone who came inside.

SWAT teams were called and police attempted to negotiate a surrender, but Galmore fired twice on armored vehicles at the scene.

During the second round of shots, Greathouse said, a police sharpshooter fired four times into a television set inside the room where Galmore was holed up in an effort to distract him.

A few moments later, officers heard a muffled gunshot from inside the house, Greathouse said.

When they entered, police found Galmore slumped in a corner with a .45-caliber pistol in his right hand.

Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller said an autopsy showed Galmore died from the self-inflicted wound. There was no preliminary indication he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the incident.

Greathouse said police have a second suspect in custody in connection with the home invasion, but he has not been formally charged.

A third suspect remains at large, Greathouse said.