A neighborhood argument over a dog being off-leash escalated into an armed confrontation in Fox Lake, Illinois, leading to the arrest of a 52-year-old man now facing felony charges, authorities said.
Christopher M. Baugher was taken into custody last week after police say he threatened his neighbor with a firearm during a dispute in a residential community. Court records show Baugher has been charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon without a concealed carry permit.
According to a statement from the Fox Lake Police Department, officers were dispatched to a home in the 6800 block of State Park Road following a report of a disturbance between neighbors. At the scene, police made contact with Baugher and a 55-year-old neighbor who reported the incident.
Investigators determined the confrontation began as a verbal disagreement over Baugher’s dog being off its leash in a shared community area. Police said the situation intensified after Baugher returned to his residence and later came back while carrying a concealed firearm.
“The altercation escalated when Baugher returned to his residence and then came back to continue the argument while carrying a concealed firearm,” police said. “During the encounter, Baugher allegedly brandished the firearm and threatened the neighbor.”
Court documents obtained by the Lake & McHenry County Scanner state that Baugher allegedly threatened to shoot the neighbor, telling him, “I’ll put three in you,” while the victim was on the phone with a 911 dispatcher. The dispatcher reportedly heard the statement during the call.
After the neighbor contacted emergency services, Baugher returned to his home. During a subsequent interview with officers, Baugher reportedly claimed that his dog had been on a leash but escaped.
Following the arrest, authorities secured a firearms restraining order barring Baugher from possessing or purchasing guns or ammunition. A search warrant executed at his residence on Jan. 8 led to the seizure of multiple firearms and ammunition, police said.
Baugher was booked into the Lake County Jail and appeared before Judge Michael Nerheim on Friday. The judge denied a request from prosecutors to hold Baugher in custody pending trial, ruling that the state failed to demonstrate he posed an imminent danger to the community. According to the Scanner, the judge cited Baugher’s cooperation with police and his admission of the conduct.
Baugher was released later that day and is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 18.
