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A Wisconsin woman faces attempted murder charges after a violent rampage outside Gurnee Mills mall on Monday.
Authorities identified the suspect as 25-year-old Katelyn A. Harmon of Waukesha.
The incident began just after 10 a.m. in the 6100-block of Grand Avenue.
Gurnee police report that Harmon drove through a parking lot aisle and intentionally struck two pedestrians.
The first victim, a 79-year-old man, was standing near his vehicle when he was hit.
He suffered serious injuries and was rushed to Advocate Condell Hospital for treatment.
The second victim, a 60-year-old woman, sustained a non-life-threatening ankle injury.
She was transported to Lake Forest Hospital for medical care.
Harmon fled the scene immediately after the collisions, according to investigators.
Shortly after, officers canvassing the area spotted a physical fight in the 6400-block of Grand Avenue.
They discovered Harmon engaged in a struggle with a 30-year-old man.
Police say Harmon had approached the man while he was sitting inside his parked vehicle.
She allegedly used a large butcher knife to smash his window and slash his tire.
When the man exited the vehicle to defend himself, a violent struggle followed.
The man suffered several cuts to his hands during the fight.
However, he managed to disarm Harmon and hold her down until officers arrived.
When police ordered the pair to separate, Harmon reportedly approached an officer aggressively.
An officer deployed a Taser to bring her into custody.
Investigators believe all three victims were targeted at random.
A motive for the attack has not been established by local authorities.
Evidence from social media suggests the suspect filmed portions of the attack.
In the video, Harmon holds a large butcher knife toward the camera.
“Hey, they still haven’t found me,” she says in the recording.
“I guess I outsmarted the cops,” she continues.
She concludes the video by stating, “God always wins.”
Harmon also posted photos to Facebook showing herself and a shattered windshield.
The posts included erratic religious references and claims of “good intentions.”
Harmon is currently charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and leaving the scene of a crash.
She is scheduled to appear in court this Wednesday.
Recent History
While Gurnee is typically a quiet suburb, the Gurnee Mills area has seen a rise in police activity recently.
The mall remains one of the largest high-traffic shopping destinations in the Chicago metropolitan area.
In late 2023, local law enforcement increased patrols following a series of retail thefts and vehicle break-ins.
Violent random attacks are rare for the neighborhood, but “rampage” style incidents have put North Suburb residents on high alert.
Nearby communities like Waukegan have also dealt with an increase in pedestrian-related traffic violence over the last year.
This latest incident has sparked renewed conversations regarding mall security and rapid police response times in Lake County.
