Waukegan Man Fatally Shot by Police Responding to Suicide Call

Ricardo Delafuente, 58, was killed after officers arrived at his home on a report of a suicidal person.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Funeral services were held for Ricardo Delafuente, a 58-year-old man from Waukegan, Illinois, who was fatally shot by police officers responding to a 911 call about a suicidal person at his residence on Leith Avenue. The Illinois State Police is conducting an independent investigation into the incident.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the challenges law enforcement face when responding to calls involving individuals experiencing mental health crises. It raises questions about de-escalation tactics, crisis intervention training, and the need for more comprehensive mental health resources in the community.

The details

According to Waukegan Deputy Police Chief Craig Neal, officers responded to a 911 call about a suicidal person at Delafuente's residence around 2:54 pm on Saturday. An officer-involved shooting occurred, but the police did not release details about what led to the shooting or how many officers fired their weapons. Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek stated that Delafuente suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

  • The 911 call about a suicidal person at Delafuente's residence came in around 2:54 pm on Saturday.
  • The officer-involved shooting occurred when police arrived at the scene.
  • Delafuente was pronounced dead at the scene.

The players

Ricardo Delafuente

A 58-year-old man from Waukegan, Illinois who was fatally shot by police officers responding to a 911 call about a suicidal person at his residence.

Craig Neal

Waukegan Deputy Police Chief who provided details about the incident.

Jennifer Banek

Lake County Coroner who confirmed Delafuente's identity and cause of death.

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What they’re saying

“An independent investigation is being conducted by the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Unit.”

— Craig Neal, Waukegan Deputy Police Chief (lakemchenryscanner.com)

What’s next

The Illinois State Police investigation into the officer-involved shooting is ongoing. The findings of the investigation will determine if the use of force was justified.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for improved crisis intervention training and stronger mental health support systems to help law enforcement respond more effectively to calls involving individuals experiencing mental health crises, with the goal of de-escalating situations and preserving life.