Man charged after barricading himself in Oak Lawn home

A man who shot and killed his brother’s cat, then barricaded himself inside a home Monday afternoon in southwest suburban Oak Lawn is facing felony charges.

William A. Tracy, 60, has been charged with aggravated cruelty to an animal, unlawful use of a weapon, and reckless discharge of a firearm, all felonies, according to a statement from Oak Lawn police.

On Sunday, Tracy shot and killed his brother’s cat, then made threats to kill his brother while armed with a firearm, police said.

Officers received a call at 9:42 a.m. Monday to check on the brothers because they were fighting in a house in the 4100 block of West 98th Street, police said.

When they arrived, officers spoke with one of the brothers, who said Tracy was in the home. He refused to let police enter, retreated back inside and closed the door.

A perimeter was set up and officers tried to talk to Tracy, but he refused, police said. He used to be in the military, possessed weapons and had a history of mental health issues, police said.

The South Suburban Emergency Response Team assisted Oak Lawn police and about 1:48 p.m., he surrendered peacefully and was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

Tracy, who lives on the same block as the barricade situation, has been ordered held at the Cook County Jail on an $800,000 bond, police said.