Illinois State Police investigating officer-involved shooting in Franklin County

BUCKNER, Ill. (KFVS) – Illinois State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Franklin County.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Kyle Bacon, at around 1:55 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, deputies responded to a residence near Buckner regarding a reported domestic violence incident.

Upon arrival, officers began speaking with the suspect involved. During the conversation, the suspect was seen to be in possession of a firearm. The suspect refused to comply with officers’ commands.

Sheriff Bacon says that as deputies approached, the suspect displayed the firearm and pointed it at the deputies. As a result, one deputy fired his handgun, striking the suspect.

Officers called in other law enforcement agencies. AMR Ambulance and Air EVAC were also called in.

Officers provided first aid until medical personnel arrived on the scene. The suspect was then flown to a trauma center out of state.

Bruce Skelton lives near the scene and shared what he saw when he left his home.

“I left my house to go get the truck and my neighbor had his truck parked here on the corner, which is odd because his house is across the field,” Skelton said. “Two of his sons were here and they told me to come over here and look out the front. When I did, there were police officers for at least three blocks down this street and everything was blocked off. They told me they heard a gunshot and called 911. Apparently, the guy who lives in that partially burned trailer got shot and then they put him in the ambulance, brought him here, treated him in the ambulance for a good 20 or 30 minutes and a helicopter landed in the field here.”

Sheriff Bacon says he is grateful that no law enforcement officers were injured as a result of this incident.

According to Illinois State Police, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office requested the Criminal Investigations Division Zone 7 to investigate the officer-involved shooting incident.

State police say the investigation is still in its early stages.

We will continue to update on-air and online as more information becomes available.

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