Lake County Sheriff’s police, Cook County Sheriff’s police and Palatine police responded just after 4:30 a.m. Thurday to a report that a man was found unconscious and bleeding from the head on the Lake Cook Road bridge just west of Hicks Road.
The unidentified man had a gunshot wound to the right temple, and was transported by paramedics to Level I Trauma Center Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. The man is on life support at the hospital. He is described as a white male, about 6’0″, 200 LBS. He was wearing a Levi jean jacket and jean pants, with Puma brand tennis shoes and has a dragon-like green and red tattoo on his right forearm.
Fire department divers and police officials with boats and side-sonar equipment started a search of the retention pond under the bridge about 9:00 a.m. Thursday searching for a weapon that may have been used in a self-inflicted gunshot.
A single-shot derringer was recovered during the search of the retention pond Thursday morning on Lake-Cook Road near Hicks Road, according to Lake County Undersheriff Chuck Fagan.
The gun is evidence in an apparent suicide attempt, but no charges will be filed, he said.
Traffic on Lake-Cook and Hicks roads was restricted, and long backups ensued.
Divers from Long Grove Fire Protection District, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods and Buffalo Grove Fire Department were involved in the search effort.
Lake County Sheriff’s police are asking citizens for help identifying the victim. Citizens with information are asked to call the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at (847) 377-4250.