Illinois State Police investigate officer-involved shooting at Effingham church

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

EFFINGHAM, Ill., (KBSI) — The Illinois State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting at a church in Effingham that left one man with life-threatening injuries.

According to state police, the Effingham Police Department and Effingham County Sheriff’s Office requested the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 to investigate the incident at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Jefferson Avenue.

Authorities said church security called police around 9:27 a.m. Sunday after reporting a suspicious vehicle and a suspicious man inside the church who wanted to speak with the pastor. No church service was taking place at the time.

Officers located the man a short time later. Police said the vehicle he arrived in had been reported stolen from Marion County, Illinois.

While officers attempted to restrain the man, he allegedly produced a firearm. During the struggle, the gun discharged, and the man was shot.

The man was taken to a local hospital before being flown to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries.

No officers or other individuals were injured.

Illinois State Police said the incident appears to be isolated, and there is no known threat to the public. The investigation remains active, and no additional information has been released.