Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- On June 2nd, 2026 at approximately 2109 hours, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office 911 PSAP received a call of shots being fired along 1300th Street, just north of the village of Watson. The caller reported two individuals operating ATV’s on the roadway were shot at by a male. Effingham County Sheriffs Office deputies responded to the area, along with assisting officers from the Effingham Police Department. Within approximately 15 minutes of receiving the call, units on scene were able to identify and detain a suspect for further investigation.
Subsequent investigation by both Patrol and Sheriff’s Office Investigations personnel led to the arrest of Michael W. Walker, 55, of rural Watson. Walker was taken into custody, without incident, for the following offenses:
- 2 Counts – Armed Violence, a Class X felony
- 2 Counts – Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, a Class 1 Felony
- 2 Counts – Reckless Discharge of a Firearm, a Class 4 Felony
- 2 Counts – Aggravated Assault, a Class 4 Felony
The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Effingham Police Department, the Altamont Police Department, and the Effingham County State’s Attorney’s Office. The investigation into this matter remains ongoing at this time.
Mr. Walker remains in custody at the Effingham County Jail, awaiting a pre-trial detention hearing.
All suspects are to be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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