Crime & Safety
Niles Man Who Shot Cop Had Been Harassing Woman, Police Say
The woman had obtained an order of protection against the 41-year-old Niles man from a judge on Dec. 8. But he tracked her to her mother's house in Arlington Heights and took her hostage.
By Stephanie Price and Pam DeFiglio, Patch.com
Eric M. Anderson of Niles, who held a woman hostage and shot an Arllington Heights police officer at an Arlington Heights home Thursday night, had been charged Sunday, Dec. 9 for harassing the woman.
The woman, 39, lives in Crystal Lake, said Crystal Lake police, who also provided information about the arrest. Crystal Lake Police Cmdr. Dan Dziewior said the department had charged Anderson with two counts of electronic harassment of the woman.
Dziewior confirmed the victim in the harassment case is the same woman taken hostage at gunpoint by Anderson on Thursday night. Police would not release the woman's name, however, as victim's identities are protected, he said.
Anderson was shot and killed by police at about 11 p.m. Dec. 12, following a three-hour hostage situation with Arlington Heights Police.
Police were summoned to the home in the 1900 block of Windham Court in Arlington Heights just before 7 p.m.
Anderson had apparently tracked the Crystal Lake woman to the house, which is owned by her mother. The mother was able to flee the house before police arrived, the news release states.
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Arlington Heights Police officer Michael McEvoy, 52, was first to respond to the call, which reported a man inside the house with a gun. Upon entering the house, McEvoy was shot once in the face, according to police.
Three other Arlington Heights police officers on the scene were able to provide cover and pull McEvoy out of the home to a point of safety.
McEvoy is currently listed in stable condition, according to Arlington Heights Police. He has been with the Arlington Heights police force for 23 years.
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The hostage situation ensued for several hours while police talked to Anderson on the telephone, trying to convince him to surrender. SWAT teams were called to the scene.
Eventually, just before 11 p.m., Anderson exited the house and walked into the garage. Anderson had his former girlfriend with him, and, at that time, he raised his gun and pointed it at the police officers, police said.
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Officers fired three shots and hit Anderson. He was provided immediate medical attention and transported to Northwest Community Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, according to police.
The Crystal Lake woman was not harmed.
The Arlington Heights Police Department was assisted by NIPAS-Emergency Services Team.
Several other media sources are reporting the Crystal Lake woman had only dated Anderson briefly, having broken off the relationship in November. She had secured an order of protection from McHenry County just this past Monday, Dec. 9, the media sources stated.
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