Michael Robert Musson, a 22-year-old white male from Round Lake, IL, died on September 2, 2016, following a confrontation with a veteran female police officer from the Round Lake Police Department. The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. when police responded to multiple reports of a man, later identified as Musson, banging on doors and attempting to force his way into homes in the 0 to 100 block of North Magillis Drive. Upon arrival, the officer encountered Musson, who was armed with a shard of glass. A physical struggle ensued, during which the officer discharged her firearm, resulting in Musson being shot multiple times. Despite life-saving measures attempted by the officers on the scene, Musson was pronounced dead shortly after the incident.
The Lake County Coroner's report revealed that Michael Robert Musson had four gunshot wounds and abrasions and contusions on his face and forehead. Additionally, toxicology reports indicated that Musson had LSD in his system at the time of the shooting. The coroner's office ruled the death a homicide. The officer involved in the shooting was placed on paid administrative leave while the Lake County Major Crime Task Force conducted an investigation into the incident. The task force's findings were to be reviewed by the Lake County State's Attorney's Office for any potential criminal wrongdoing.
Further details about Michael Robert Musson's background revealed that this was not his first encounter with law enforcement. In August 2013, Musson, then 19, was involved in an altercation with a Lake County Sheriff's detective during a drug investigation. Musson allegedly put the detective in a headlock, and during the struggle, three other individuals assaulted the detective and responding deputies. Musson was charged with felony aggravated battery to a peace officer, resisting arrest, and obstruction of justice. He later pleaded guilty to an enhanced felony charge of resisting a peace officer and was sentenced to 24 months of probation.
The investigation into Musson's death focused on the circumstances leading up to the shooting and the actions of the officer involved. The Lake County Major Crime Task Force aimed to determine whether the use of deadly force was justified under the circumstances. The officer, who had never been involved in a similar incident before, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the struggle.
