The man who was shot and killed by a Lake County Sheriff's Office deputy Thursday night was holding an airsoft type weapon, not a real gun, according to officials.
The deputy fired after the man allegedly refused orders to drop the weapon, lifting it at law enforcement.
Authorities said it started when the sheriff's office received a 911 call just after 10 p.m. from a woman who said she had been stabbed multiple times.
When deputies arrived at the home in the 2900 block of River Road in Perry Township they were confronted by a man with a gun outside, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.
One of the deputies repeatedly told the man to drop his weapon.
When the man—identified as 54-year-old Thomas Hirko—raised the handgun toward the deputy, the deputy fired, according to the sheriff's office.
He was transported to the Madison emergency room where he was pronounced dead.
At a press conference Friday afternoon, deputies revealed the weapon was an airsoft pistol, not a real gun.
The stabbing victim—identified as 55-year-old Lorrie Osborne-Hirko—was transported to Tri-Point Hospital and then transported via Life Flight helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center. Officials say she had stab wounds to her back and chest.
The Lake County Detective Bureau and Lake County Crime Lab are now investigating the shooting and stabbing.
The deputies involved have been removed from shift duties during the investigation.
