Koester Admits Wound Was Self-Inflicted

The Effingham man who was wounded while running his dog earlier this month has admitted his wound was accidentally self-inflicted.

21-year-old David Koester said he was running his dog in the river bottoms west of the TREC Trail on December 19 when he heard shots fired and then was wounded by one of the shots in the left calf. He admitted to authorities during an interview Monday afternoon, though, that he was loading his Ruger .22 pistol and accidentally shot himself.

Effingham County Sheriff Dave Mahon said Koester also acknowledged he gave false statements to the responding officers because he knew he was unlawfully possessing the gun. At the time of the incident, Koester knew that his FOID card was previously revoked.

City, county and state police authorities responded on the 19th at the report of the shooting and searched the area, but found no other shooter. Mahon said inconsistencies in Koester's story led them to further discuss the matter with him, leading to Koester's confession.

The Sheriff said the findings of their investigation would be turned over to the Effingham County State's Attorney's Office for review.