A SUSPICIOUS MAN SHOWED UP TO AN EFFINGHAM, ILLINOIS CHURCH, ARMED, AND LOOKING FOR THE PASTOR. AFTER THE AUTHORITIES ARRIVED, HE LEFT THE CHURCH WITH CRITICAL INJURIES. (PHOTO)

A suspicious man showed up to an Effingham, Illinois church, armed, and  looking for the pastor. After the authorities arrived, he left the church with critical injuries. 

The events that would ultimately end with the suspect fighting for his life began today in Kinmundy, Illinois, before 9:00 a.m. (Sunday, July 5th).

This morning, after he stole a vehicle in Kinmundy, he drove the stolen vehicle directly to St. John's Lutheran Church in Effingham, Illinois. The armed man arrived at the church shortly after 9 a.m. and asked to speak with the pastor.

Something was off and the church security did not ignore the red flag. A call to the Effingham Police Department was made. The call went out at 9:27 a.m. and not only Effingham Police but Effingham County Sheriff's Department responded to the church.  

The vehicle was quickly determined to have been stolen from Kinmundy and authorities made their way into the church. Once inside, both deputies with the Sheriff's Department and officers with the Police Department attempted to take the suspect into custody.  

A brief struggle broke out; officers reported  the suspect drew his weapon, and it discharged, and the  suspect was struck by the round.

EMS were called immediately to the scene and transported the suspect to a local hospital. Doctors determined the suspect was suffering from life-threatening injuries and opted to transport the man by helicopter to a regional hospital more suited to treat the injury. 

The entire incident remains under investigation and the suspect's name is being withheld at this time.

Pictured above- St. John's Lutheran Church in Effingham, IL.