EFFINGHAM – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is releasing video of a shooting incident that occurred in July in Effingham, IL. The Effingham Police Department and the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office requested the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 to investigate a shooting incident at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Jefferson Avenue in Effingham.
On July 5, 2026, at approximately 9:27 a.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church security contacted the Effingham Police Department to report a suspicious vehicle and suspicious man inside the church wishing to speak with the pastor. The Effingham Police Department and the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office responded to the church locating the man, 36-year-old Allen O. Gattino of St. Charles, MO. The suspicious vehicle was reported stolen out of Marion County, IL. Officers from both agencies attempted to restrain Gattino. During the struggle, Gattino produced a firearm, which discharged, and Gattino was struck. Gattino was taken to a local hospital and later transported by helicopter to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he was pronounced deceased. No one else was injured in this incident.
In accordance with ISP’s commitment to integrity and public transparency, the video of the shooting is being made available to the public and can be found by clicking HERE. ISP provided Gattino’s family the opportunity to review the video before its release to the public.
Upon completion of the investigation, ISP submitted the case to the Effingham County State’s Attorney’s Office.