Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- The Effingham Police Department and the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office requested the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 to investigate a shooting incident at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Jefferson Avenue in Effingham, IL.
On July 5, 2026, at approximately 9:27 a.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church security contacted Effingham Police Department to report a suspicious vehicle and suspicious man inside the church wishing to speak with the pastor, no church service was occurring at the time. The Effingham Police Department and the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office responded to the church locating the man a short time later. The suspicious vehicle was reported stolen out of Marion County, IL. Officers from both agencies attempted to restrain the man. During the struggle, the man produced a firearm, which discharged, and the man was struck. The man was taken to a local hospital and later transported by helicopter to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries. No one else was injured in this incident.
This was an isolated incident and there is no known threat to the community at this time. This is an active investigation and no additional information is available at this time.
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