Effingham Man Arrested for Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm

At approximately 8:04 P.M. on November 12, 2021, an observant citizen reported possible gunfire at Motel 6, 1412 W. Fayette Avenue. Effingham City Police Officers, along with Effingham County Sheriff’s Deputies and Illinois State Troopers, responded to the scene and discovered spent shell casings in the immediate vicinity of the motel. After securing the scene, officers interviewed multiple witnesses, reviewed video footage, and were able to identify a suspect who was later located in the 1200 block of Wenthe Drive.

Micah L. Ward, 27, Effingham, was taken into custody and booked into the Effingham County Jail on one count of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm. The charge is a Class 1 Felony and carries a sentence of 4-15 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. Ward also had two outstanding warrants for a State Department of Corrections (Minnesota) Parole Violation and a Lyon County (Minnesota) Sheriff’s Office Probation Violation on Domestic Assault. An arraignment hearing was held Monday morning where bond was set at $150,000 with 10% to apply.

Additional charges filed by the Effingham County State’s Attorney include: 

• Felon in Possession/Use of a Firearm by a Parolee (Class 2 Felony) 

• Felon in Possession/Use of a Weapon (Class 3 Felony) 

• Felon in Possession/Use of a Weapon (Class 3 Felony) 

• Reckless Discharge of a Firearm/Endangerment (Class 4 Felony) 

The investigation into what initiated the incident is ongoing by Effingham Police Detectives. Effingham Police Chief Jason McFarland advised the situation appears targeted and isolated, and no further risk associated to the public is expected from this incident. 

According to Chief McFarland, “This active shooter situation was rapidly mitigated and brought to a  positive conclusion because of the actions of an observant citizen who promptly called 9-1-1, and because of the swift response from all local law enforcement agencies working together. It is a fact that violent criminal activity is on the rise nationwide; however, this incident is truly a notable example of members of the Effingham community partnering with police to provide immediate and necessary information to effect an arrest and get a felon with a gun off the street. Effingham is a wonderful place to work and raise a family; neighbors looking out for each other and consistently reporting suspicious activity is one reason this community remains and will remain, a distinguished area to live.”