Apparent shooting develops into standoff at Macomb Farm King store
Posted: Feb 03, 2010 1:19 PM CSTUpdated: Feb 03, 2010 2:23 PM CSTMACOMB, Ill (WGEM) -- At this hour, police are involved in an alleged standoff situation with a shooter at the Farm King store on East Jackson Street in Macomb.
Authorities plan to hold a 3 p.m. news conference about the situation.
An eyewitness at the scene tells WGEM News that nearly 20 rounds were fired in the direction of police officers. Several businesses near the Farm King facility are moving into a lockdown state. Other eyewitnesses tell WGEM News they witnessed employees and customers fleeing the store, hiding behind vehicles and snow piles in the parking lot area.
WGEM reporter Deandra Corinthios says that at least two ambulances and numerous police cars and fire trucks are on the scene. There have been no reported injuries as of 1:30 p.m.
East Jackson Street is shut down at this time to help contain the situation.
Macomb superintendent Dr. Alene Reuschel tells WGEM News the Macomb Public School District is in a standard situation safety protocol lockdown. Schools are operating as normal, but the perimeters of the building are secure. Western Illinois University has also issued its Emergency Alert System, asking students, faculty and staff to avoid East Jackson Street.
WGEM News has a crew in Macomb and we'll bring you the latest developments as they are made available.
