A standoff that began up in Effingham County has ended with the death of a truck driver from out of state from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Media reports and police information said the standoff began Thursday at the TA Truck Stop in Effingham.
Effingham Police Chief Jason McFarland said in the report his department was contacted just before noon Friday by police in Michigan saying a bank robbery suspect was believed headed toward Shelbyville, Illinois. Police began looking at local truck stops and the suspect’s truck was found at the Effingham truck stop.
An officer was able to disarm the man’s semi by pulling the air brake loose to prevent him from leaving the scene. Attempts to tase the suspect were unsuccessful, and the suspect and police began several hours of a standoff before police eventually were able to enter the suspect’s vehicle and found him dead inside. His identity was not immediately released, pending notification of family. No other injuries were reported. The death was reported Friday night.