A dramatic shootout in Dixon, Illinois, involving a man with suicidal and homicidal tendencies, resulted in three law enforcement officers being injured. The incident began on June 12 when Jonathon Gounaris, 32, exhibited violent behavior, prompting his mother to contact the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office. This call set off a series of events culminating in Gounaris facing charges, including four counts of attempted first-degree murder.
Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle provided a detailed account of the incident during a Critical Incident Briefing. The body cam footage revealed the tense moments as officers breached the residence, only to be met with a barrage of gunfire from within. Tactical medic Tyler Carls from the Rochelle Fire Department was struck twice in his body armor, Sgt. Tad Dominski of the Oregon Police Department was shot in the upper arm, and Lt. Jason Ketter of the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office sustained a facial gunshot wound.
In the footage, a deputy is seen assisting Dominski, pulling him to safety before tending to Ketter, who was bleeding profusely. Once the suspect was subdued, the officers provided emergency medical aid to their wounded colleague. While Carls and Dominski were treated and released from the hospital the same day, Ketter underwent surgery at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Rockford and was discharged on Friday.
Gounaris, who was also injured during the shootout, underwent surgery and faces multiple charges, including three counts of aggravated battery and possession without a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID). Authorities discovered ballistic armor, firearms, a fixed-blade knife, and pepper spray in his possession.
Prior to the confrontation, deputies were informed that Gounaris had lost his FOID due to being deemed a “present danger.” The Ogle County Emergency Response Team arrived at the scene around 10:20 a.m., and despite numerous attempts to contact Gounaris, entry was authorized just before noon.
Sheriff VanVickle has requested the Illinois State Police conduct an ongoing investigation into the incident.
