LAWRENCEVILLE, Ill. (AP) — A southern Illinois man faces a charge of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer after allegedly shooting a sheriff’s deputy who was saved by his body armor.
Lawrence County State’s Attorney Chris Quick filed the charge Tuesday against 55-year-old Keith McKinney of Lawrenceville.
Investigators say McKinney fired a gunshot that struck Lawrence County Deputy Kyle Gilmore in the chest after the officer made a traffic stop Monday. The Evansville Courier & Press reports Gilmore’s body armor stopped the bullet, and the deputy returned fire, striking McKinney in the leg.
McKinney was taken to a hospital in Evansville, Indiana, where he underwent surgery for his injuries. He remains hospitalized under police guard. It’s unclear whether he has an attorney who might comment on his behalf.