A tragic domestic incident unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday in the unincorporated area of Crystal Lake, as reported by the McHenry County Sheriff’s office. Four family members, three women and a man, lost their lives in the incident. The man, described as the “aggressor” by Deputy Tim Creighton, was among the deceased.
The Sheriff’s deputies were alerted to the situation by a distress call from a woman who survived the attack but sustained serious injuries. The call, which came in around 3:50 a.m., reported a family member shooting relatives. The injured woman is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital.
As reported by Chicago NBC the family members that died have been identified as Yuna Song, 49, Jean Song, 44, Lauren Smith-Song, 32, and Chang Song, 73
Deputy Creighton, while addressing the media, refrained from disclosing details about the victims’ ages, the method of their killing, or the weapon used. He confirmed that all the victims were residents of the same household. The McHenry County Sheriff’s office later identified the three deceased women and the injured caller as family members.
The Sheriff’s office had earlier responded to reports of multiple gunshots fired at the residence. Upon arrival, deputies found the three women already dead. The male “aggressor” was seriously injured and later succumbed to his injuries.
Sheriff Robb Tadelman assured the public that the incident was isolated and posed no further threat. The investigation is being conducted by the McHenry County Sheriff’s office in collaboration with the Major Investigation Assistance Team.
The quiet neighborhood, which woke up to the news of the tragedy, was in shock. Residents, who had not heard anything unusual overnight, saw TV news crews and police vehicles lining their street in the morning. The residents of the house where the shooting occurred were believed to be long-term renters.
The neighborhood, originally planned as part of a golf course, is a mix of duplexes and single-family homes. Residents described it as a peaceful place where minor accidents like falls from bicycles were the norm. The news of the shooting has left them in disbelief.
One of the neighbors, Peggy Caldrone, expressed her shock at waking up to crime scene tape outside her window. Despite the incident, she affirmed feeling safe in the neighborhood, describing it as quiet and the residents as friendly.
The McHenry County Coroner’s office is yet to provide an update. The Sheriff’s office plans to release further details later.