samuel sarver mug

Samuel J. Sarver was arrested after police said he stabbed someone on Monday, May 25, 2026.

EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WAND) — An Effingham man was arrested after police said he stabbed someone Monday night.

According to the Effingham Police Department, officers responded to reports of a stabbing in the 500 block of North Henrietta Street around 11:30 p.m.

When they arrived, officers found one person who had been stabbed in the torso. They were taken to the hospital, where police said their condition is unknown.

The Effingham Police Department said witnesses told officers that the suspect, later identified as 20-year-old Samuel J. Sarver, left before police arrived. Police found Sarver at an Effingham home a short time later and arrested him.

"Immediately after the incident occurred, witnesses and bystanders called 911 for help, but also tracked which direction the suspect traveled when he left the scene and provided a detailed clothing description," Effingham Police Deputy Chief Tom Webb said. "It was high priority for officers to detain the suspect to prevent any further threat to the public, so the collaboration between citizens and police helped officers locate the suspect quickly."

Sarver was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, reckless conduct with great bodily harm, and unlawful use of a weapon. He was denied pre-trial release in his first court appearance Wednesday.

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