State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 says a vehicle stolen in Marion County was involved in the shooting that occurred at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Jefferson Avenue in Effingham on Sunday morning.
Effingham Police and the Effingham County Sheriff’s Department requested that ISP handle the investigation.
State DCI has put together the following timeline:
On July 5, 2026, at approximately 9:27 a.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church security contacted the Effingham Police Department to report a suspicious vehicle and a 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.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Department says the vehicle had been stolen in Kinmundy at 8: 55 Sunday morning.
State Police say this is 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 currently being released.
Following the shooting incident, St. John’s Lutheran Church canceled its 10:30 am service.
