Man shot during struggle with police near Effingham church dead, ISP confirms

EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois State Police confirmed that the man who was shot after a struggle with police near an Effingham church is dead.

Police identified the man involved as Allen O. Gattino, 36, of St. Charles, MO.

ISP said officers with the Effingham Police Department and Effingham County Sheriff's Office responded to St. John's Lutheran Church just before 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 5.

According to ISP, church security contacted police to report a suspicious vehicle and a suspicious man inside the church wishing to speak with the pastor. There was no church service happening at the time.

Effingham police and the sheriff's department responded and found Gattino a short time later. Officers discovered the suspicious vehicle was reported stolen out of Marion County, Illinois.

Officers tried to restrain Gattino, and during the struggle, he took out a gun. The gun went off and Gattino was shot. He was taken to a local hospital and later transported by helicopter to a regional hospital.

ISP confirmed that Gattino died on Monday, July 6.

St. John's Lutheran Church shared on its Facebook page just after 10 a.m., "You can thank the Lord. Everyone at St. John’s is safe. 10:30 Service is cancelled."

It is unclear who shot the gun. The investigation is ongoing and there is no more information available.

The Illinois State Police have taken over as the lead investigative agency, with the Effingham Police Department continuing to assist.