Police: Gunman inside farm supply store in western Illinois; no immediate reports of injuries

Police: Gunman inside Illinois farm supply store

MACOMB, Ill. — A man armed with a semiautomatic weapon opened fire in a western Illinois farm supply store Wednesday, then holed himself inside as police arrived, authorities and witnesses said.

There were no reports of injuries from the shooting at the Farm King retail store in Macomb, according to Illinois State Police Lt. Harry Douglas.

Authorities said the gunman was still inside the store Wednesday afternoon, and a SWAT team had surrounded the building.

Reporters on the scene said two hostages could be seen leaving the store. It was unclear whether anyone else remained inside.

Witness Richard Moulton told Fox News that he was inside the store with his father when the gunman walked in and began to fire. He said he saw the gunman in the aisle where weapons are sold, but it appeared that the man used a gun he already had.

There weren’t many people inside the store, but those who were scattered as gunfire rang out, ducking and weaving toward a rear exit, Moulton said.

“I was pretty shooken up,” he said. “Nothing like that’s ever happened to me before.”

Some of those who fled the Farm King ran to a nearby grocery store.

McDonough District Hospital dispatched ambulances to the scene as a precaution, said John Maguire, director of public relations.

Western Illinois University alerted its faculty and staff to avoid the street where the store is located. The campus remained open.