Illinois Police Officer Fatally Shot; Schools on Lockdown Amid Aggressive Manhunt

Police are searching for three male suspects after an officer was fatally shot in Fox Lake, Illinois, north of Chicago, Tuesday morning.

Police said two of the suspects are white and one is black.

The Chicago Tribune reported police have deployed helicopters and dogs for the search for the suspects. The incident reportedly escalated from a traffic stop; the suspects may have taken the officer's pepper spray and gun.

Image source: WLS-TV

A spokesman for the Fox Lake Police Department said the officer used his radio to report the traffic stop and later indicated that he was in a foot pursuit with the three suspects, just before losing communication.

A law enforcement source told CNN that the officer was a 32-year veteran.

Police did not release the deceased officer's name.

The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting in the manhunt. Neither agency offered a comment on the status of the investigation because local authorities are leading it.

A number of schools in the area went on lockdown and Chicago's Metra public transportation system shut down a portion of its system.

"Grant Community High School is currently in a lockdown at the request of the Fox Lake Police Department," a statement said. "A police matter is occurring in the community and for the safety of our students and staff they have requested we remain locked down."

At least 10 schools took similar precautions, WBBM-TV reported.

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