4 Dead, Including Suspected Gunman, In 2 Central IL Shootings

ASHLAND, IL — Three people were killed in central Illinois and a fourth was wounded in two separate shootings shortly before the suspected gunman was found dead by a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a traffic stop Thursday, authorities said.

The Case County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook statement Friday morning they were called to a home on the 300 block of Philadelphia Road in Ashland, about 22 miles west of Springfield, for a report of a male who had been shot. They discovered a female dead along with a male with a gunshot wound at the home.

While he was treated at the scene, the male victim told authorities about another shooting nearby, where two additional female victims were found dead at a home in Ashland, authorities said.

Jacksonville police officers found a vehicle suspected in the shootings near North Main and Oak Street and conducted a traffic stop, authorities said.

The suspect was found dead inside the car with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to authorities.

The surviving male victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

"Please keep the families and communities involved in these horrific events in your thoughts and prayers," the sheriff's office wrote.