Armed Subject Fatally Shot, Pana Police Officer Wounded

Illinois State Police and the Christian County Sheriff's Office are investigating a shooting that occurred early Tuesday morning in rural Christian County that involved ISP SWAT, a Pana Police Officer, and an armed offender.

At approximately 3:15 a.m., the Christian County Sheriff's Office responded to a “man with a gun” call in a rural area seven miles west of Pana. Multiple law enforcement officers responded to the scene.

Preliminary investigative details revealed that a Pana Police Officer assigned to the Central Illinois Enforcement Group (CIEG) located an armed subject inside the residence.  The armed subject shot the Pana Police Officer and fled to the rooftop of the residence.

Christian County Sheriff's Office requested the assistance of ISP SWAT to assist with negotiations.  ISP SWAT Officers and ISP Air Operations arrived on the scene and attempted negotiations.  The armed subject set the roof of the residence on fire and then fired his weapon in the direction of officers.  ISP SWAT returned fire, fatally striking the armed subject.

The armed subject was pronounced dead at the scene by the Christian County Coroner’s Office.  The Pana Police Officer remains in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries.  No other injuries have been reported.  Three other individuals were located inside the residence during the initial response and were detained for questioning.

At this time, no motive has been determined and the investigation continues.  Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in the response including the Illinois State Police, Christian County Sheriff's Office, Pana Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff's Office, and Taylorville Police Department.