MT. VERNON – One person is dead after shooting themselves as a deputy was trying to arrest him in a stolen vehicle investigation in Jefferson County just after 6 Wednesday night.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy responded to a report of a vehicle stolen from a citizen who stopped to help a subject stuck alongside of Richview Road, just east of North Hart Lane.
The deputy arrived in the area and discovered the stolen vehicle off of Richview Road, near the intersection of Grand Road. The deputy located the suspect at the crash site, attempted to take him into custody, and during the attempt, the suspect shot himself. The deputy was not injured.
Other deputies, Mt. Vernon Police, Illinois State Police, Mt. Vernon and Irvington Firefighters, and Litton Ambulance responded. The suspect was declared dead at the scene by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.
ISP investigators responded to process the scene and investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the suspect. Sheriff’s and Mt. Vernon Police detectives are working the stolen vehicle investigation.
The names of the deputy and suspect are not being released until family members are notified and ISP is ready to release the information.
