A person who held a Hancock County Sheriff’s Office deputy at gunpoint and fled in the deputy’s patrol vehicle later died after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement.
Two Hancock County Sheriff’s Office deputies were involved in the shooting, according to the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation, Zone 4.
The Division said a deputy responded to a report of a suspicious person on Wednesday afternoon in rural Hancock County.
While the person interacted with the deputy, the person entered the deputy’s patrol vehicle and held the deputy at gunpoint, according to state police.
The deputy left the patrol vehicle and shots were fired. A second responding deputy arrived on scene and picked up the first deputy, while the suspect fled the scene in the first deputy’s patrol vehicle.
Following a short pursuit, gunfire was exchanged between the deputies and the subject near Route 136 and County Road 2500 East.
The suspect was taken to an area hospital and pronounced dead a short time later.
No officers were injured.
The roadway was shut down at U.S. Route 336 and Illinois Route 61 during the initial investigation, and was reopened around 9:15 p.m.
Illinois State Police said the investigation is open and ongoing, and no further information is being released at this time.
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