Fox Lake officials: Death of officer continues as homicide investigation

Police released few new details Monday into ballistic and gunshot residue test results three weeks into an investigation of the shooting death of Fox Lake Police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz.

Last week, officials said for the first time they were considering homicide, suicide, and any other possible scenarios.

The death sparked a massive manhunt that has failed so far to produce any suspects. “Obviously, there is concern that there are three killers on the loose”.

Additionally, Covelli said they’ve received up to 300 leads from members of the community, from the crime scene, and from investigators’ work – and “every lead will be diligently researched”. His death is still unsolved.

Both Covelli and Filenko said the task force continues to wait for scientific evidence tests. “Everything else is dropped, and it gets looked at immediately”.

They said they had received lab results about ballistics and gunshot residue only Monday, despite the urgency with which police voilent murder are usually handled. Covelli, the sheriff’s spokesman, said the results did not rule out any theories, including homicide, suicide or an accident.

Additionally, a local government official familiar with the investigation says the lieutenant was hit twice: once in his protective vest and once at an angle that allowed the bullet to enter his chest.

“The K-9 track doesn’t necessarily tell us how many suspects there are but based on the track and the handler’s knowledge of his K-9 partner, it was very apparent it was a good track”, Covelli said. DNA found at the scene came from Gliniewicz and an “unknown donor”. Those tests can be done quickly.

Authorities have said Gliniewicz’s gun was found near him but haven’t said how close or whether he was shot with his own gun.