Illinois State Police officer shoots armed person while serving search warrant for meth in Morrison

MORRISON – An Illinois State Police officer shot and wounded an armed person while executing a search warrant about 5:30 a.m. Friday at a residence in the 600 block of North Cherry Street. In another part of the residence, police found another person with a gunshot wound.

Both wounded individuals were taken to an undisclosed hospital. A news release from the state police said medical condition reports on the shooting victims were not available.

The state police Division of Internal Investigation issued a news release Friday afternoon saying it was investigating the incident because an officer was involved in the shooting.

The state police officer involved is a four-year, highly trained member of a special weapons assault team, according to the release.

Officials said the officers serving the search warrant – part of the Blackhawk Area Task Force – were wearing body cameras.

The warrant was being served for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and possession of contraband in a penal institution.

“This investigation is open and ongoing,” according to the release from the Division of Internal Investigation. “Upon completion of the investigation, all evidence and facts will be submitted for review to the Whiteside County State’s Attorney’s Office.”

Because of the investigation’s commitment to integrity and transparency, additional information, including the body camera video, would be made public, when possible, with the advice and concurrence of the state’s attorney.

The state police said that officers heard gunshots from within the residence as they began their search. Officers encountered the suspect of the warrant, who was armed. The gender of the suspect was not listed in the release.

The state police officer fired at the armed suspect, who was wounded and then taken to an area hospital.

Officers continued their search. In a separate part of the home, they found a woman who had been shot. She was taken to an area hospital.

The initial news releases about the incident came Friday morning from the Morrison Police Department and the Whiteside County sheriff, who said they were providing security after the incident and closing down traffic in the vicinity.

An elementary school is nearby the scene of the incident.

This developing story was updated at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Friday based on news releases from the Illinois State Police.