Suspect in Taylorville Shootings in Custody

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Published on March 19 2018 5:07 pm
Last Updated on March 20 2018 7:16 am
Written by Greg Sapp

The suspect in the shooting of three individuals in Taylorville Monday morning is in custody.

The three shooting victims include a 13-year-old. 

The suspect, 43-year-old Lee Wayne Kennedy, was taken into custody at Taylorville Memorial Hospital shortly before 4pm.

Kennedy reportedly fled Taylorville after the shootings, abandoning his vehicle in Hillsboro, where he allegedly stole another vehicle.

Kennedy had worked his way back to the Taylorville area and shortly after 3pm, he had committed an armed robbery at the Colonial Pantry in Stonington. Kennedy fled the scene prior to officers arriving.

Officers spotted Kennedy on a rural road and a pursuit followed. Officers from many agencies assisted with the pursuit, which ended with Kennedy striking a curb in front of the south entrance of the Taylorville hospital.

Kennedy exited the vehicle with a small handgun. As he was ordered to put down the weapon, Kennedy shot himself in the head.

Emergency crews quickly administered medical care and Kennedy was admitted to the hospital. He was stabilized and then transferred to Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.

One of the shooting victims has a valid Order of Protection against Kennedy as part of what authorities termed an ongoing domestic violence situation.

The shooting victims were first treated at Taylorville Memorial Hospital before being transferred to Springfield for additional treatment.