CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. – Five months after a tragic shooting took the lives of four family members in their home near Crystal Lake, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office has revealed their findings. After the county coroner released the causes of death on Thursday, the sheriff’s office announced on Friday that their investigation has concluded it was a triple murder-suicide.
According to the sheriff’s office, the shooter, Jean Song, was “most likely suffering from a mental health crisis.” They disclosed that Song had a valid Firearm Owners Identification card and concealed carry license. The incident was described as a familial domestic situation that escalated from a verbal dispute to physical violence, resulting in the deaths of three females before the shooter turned the gun on himself.
The deaths of Chang Hee Song, 73, Yuna Song, 49, and Lauren Smith-Song, 32, were ruled as homicides from multiple gunshot wounds, while Jean Song’s death was ruled as a suicide from a gunshot wound to the head. A fifth person, who has not been identified, was also seriously injured in the shooting but has since been released from the hospital.
The tragic event unfolded in the early hours of August 9, when police responded to a domestic incident at the family’s residence and found three family members dead and two others seriously wounded. The sheriff’s office emphasized that they had no previous interaction at that residence before the shooting occurred.
The investigation was carried out in coordination with the McHenry County Major Investigations Assistance Team. The sheriff’s office also urged community members to take advantage of resources provided by local social service providers for assistance with various conditions and circumstances.
In conclusion, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office has concluded that the tragic incident was a result of a domestic dispute that turned violent, resulting in the loss of four lives. The investigation has shed light on the importance of mental health awareness and the availability of resources for those in need.