Public's Help Sought in Shot Fired Incident

We told you Friday about the report received by the Effingham County Sheriff's Department of a man firing a shot from a handgun while sitting in his truck along US Route 40 near the intersection with the Funkhouser Road. The incident was reported about 11:30am Friday.

The sheriff's office is investigating the incident. Even though the subject fired the shot into the air and did not point the firearm directly at anyone, the sheriff's office has made it a high priority to locate the driver of the truck and is asking for the public's assistance.

The suspect’s vehicle is described as a well-kept late 90s to early 2000s extended cab pickup truck, probably a Chevrolet. The truck is silver or gray, has a chrome or shiny “deck plate” tool box across the bed directly behind the cab. The truck also has a chrome or shiny brush guard mounted on the front.

The driver of the truck is described as being 50 to 60 years old with silver or gray hair and clean-shaven. He has a stocky build and his height is estimated to be 5’ 8” to 5’ 9”. The driver extended his left hand out of the driver’s side window and fired a single shot into the air from a short-barreled, shiny handgun, probably a revolver.

If you witnessed this incident or have any information about this case please contact the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office at 217/342-2101. If you see the truck or believe you know the driver please do not confront him or attempt to follow the vehicle. If it is safe to do so, record the license plate number of the vehicle and notify the Sheriff’s Office.

This incident is an active investigation and no other information is available for release at this time.