Authorities said they later found the suspected gunman dead inside his Pike County house.
Pike County Sheriff’s Department officials were called about 6 a.m. Thursday to a residence in the 300 block of Mississippi Street in New Canton after a report of a shooting. Deputies found a woman inside with a gunshot wound.
The yet-unidentified woman, whose condition was unavailable Thursday night, accused Gerald E. Waligorski, 67, of New Canton of shooting her and said he had made threatening comments about her parents, according to a police report.
Deputies then went to the 200 block of Monroe Street to check on the woman’s parents, who were found dead inside the house, according to authorities.
Illinois State Police were called in to assist, and they went with deputies to Waligorski’s home in the 300 block of Mississippi Street.
Waligorski, who was believed to still be armed, refused to come out of the house, according to authorities. Police secured the scene and urged people to avoid the area.
“Officers are in the area and actively working to bring this matter to a safe resolution,” according to a social media post by the sheriff’s department about 9 a.m. “We ask [residents] to remain indoors until further updates are provided. We appreciate your cooperation.”
About five hours later, police obtained search warrants for the house and a SWAT team made entry. Waligorski was found dead inside, according to state police.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and more details would be released later.
New Canton is a town of several hundred people.
