Crime & Safety

Man Shot by Vernon Hills Police Pleads Not Guilty to Assault

After the shooting, a note was found on Howard Lazarus stating he had cancer and couldn't "do the deed" himself.

Howard Lazarus, the 53-year-old Mundelein man who was shot by Vernon Hills Police last month in an alleged suicide by cop mission, pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated assault when he appeared in Lake County court Thursday, reported the Vernon Hills Review.

On April 3, Lazarus entered the Vernon Hills Police Department to report a traffic accident then drew what appeared to be a gun on an officer. The officer fired two rounds at Lazarus, striking him once in the abdomen, after telling him several times to drop the weapon, which turned out to be fake, Patch reported.

A hand-written note found in Lazarus' pocket stated in part, “I apologize for placing your officers in this position. I am dying from cancer and couldn’t do the deed myself," reported Patch.

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Lazarus remains in the Lake County Jail unable to post 10 percent of a $100,000 bond. He is due back in court May 29 and is due for trial July 8, according to the Review.

Related:

Find out what's happening in Vernon Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Man Shot by Police Appears in Court

Vernon Hills Police Release Shooting Video


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