Police Shooting in Jerseyville

JERSEYVILLE - Jerseyville residents woke up to the shock and horror of a police officer being shot and a burglary suspect being dead Tuesday morning.

Burglary suspect, Austin Durham, 24, of Carrollton, was shot and killed and later Tuesday identified by Jersey County Coroner Larry Alexander. Police said the suspect allegedly broke into the DJ’s Pub and Grill on West Prairie Street in Jerseyville at 1:10 a.m. Tuesday. Coroner Alexander said Durham was struck and hit with bullets four times, resulting in his death.

Jerseyville Police responded after a burglary alarm went off at DJ’s Pub and Grill. When Jerseyville Police arrived on the scene, they pursued Durham to the Tobacco Shop at 303 South Jefferson in Jerseyville where police said he began firing a gun at them with bullets striking an officer.

The Jerseyville Police officer has not yet been named, but has been with the force since 2014 and was previously a St. Louis Police officer. The man was listed as stable, but had been in critical condition on Tuesday. 

A Jerseyville woman who lived near where the crime scene occurred said she heard in the middle of the night what she thought was someone beating on her house and thought was her neighbor.

“It was 1:15 a.m. and I was asleep and thought it was a dream until I heard my dog start barking,” she said. “I called 911 and started to go outside but people yelled me to get back in the house.” The woman stayed in her home for several hours before finally being free to come out, she said.

Another man said he received a phone call at 2:19 a.m. to stay inside his house and all he could see was all kinds of red lights outside. “I keep the TV and air conditioning on at night and didn’t hear much,” the man, who wished to remain unidentified, said. “An officer came and had me sign some papers so they could see where the bullets hit.”

More should be released today about the police officer who was shot in the case. Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigators are assisting the Jerseyville Police Department and Jersey Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.

Jerseyville, IL Police Chief Brad Blackorby starts to address assembled press regarding the officer and suspect shooting that occurred in the early morning hours of Tuesday June 13, 2017.

A drone mounted camera was used by Illinois State Police crime scene investigators to record the area near the incident site.

Bottom of image is where suspect collapsed after being shot by police. The image is shot facing toward where the event started across State Street.

Resident in home next to shooting listens through her door as Jerseyville officials explain what they will be doing at crime scene.

A bullet hole in the home of a resident that traveled into the kitchen but was not able to be recovered by police.

Entrance side of bullet that traveled through resident's fence.

Bullet that traveled through fence then entered garage door and through back of garage.

IMAGES BELOW MAY BE CONSIDERED BY SOME TO BE GRAPHIC IN NATURE

Blood remains on the bumper of local resident's vehicle from shooting that left suspect dead and officer wounded.

Blood spatters on vehicle bumper from shooting that left suspect dead and office wounded early Tuesday morning. The vehicle was parked next to home that had bullet entry hole. Bullet was not recovered.

Resident vehicle mirror shattered by bullet. Bullet entry hole is visible at bottom of mirror.