Sunday Shooting at Effingham Church Under Investigation

(Undated) — Authorities continue to investigate an “accidental” shooting in Effingham. According to the Illinois State Police, at approximately 9:27 a.m. yesterday, St. John’s Lutheran Church security contacted the Effingham Police Department to report a suspicious vehicle and a suspicious man inside the church who wished to speak with the pastor at a time when no services were going on. The Effingham Police Department and the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office responded to the church and located 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. ​They say 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. ​The ISP says 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. ​