On 12/26/17 at 11:43pm, Sheriff's deputies responded to a call at Christian Faith Center, 1800 S. Water Street in Wilmington for the shooting of a 15 year old male, resident of Godley.  Upon arrival deputies observed the nonresponsive victim within the main area of the church with a gunshot wound to his left armpit.  A family member and deputies performed CPR until Wilmington Fire arrived on scene.  The young man was transported to Riverside Hospital in Kankakee where he was pronounced deceased. 

Sheriff's deputies spoke to the Pastor of the center and other family members on scene.  It was reported that the victim and his 17 year old cousin, who is the son of the Pastor, were in a bedroom of the residence that is connected to the church, when they heard what they believed to be someone attempting to break in to the church.   The two boys went to a closet that held firearms and retrieved a rifle.  The 17 year old had possession of the rifle and was running toward the gymnasium where the sound was coming from.  The 15 year old was in front of the 17 year old, at which time the 17 year old tripped over an extension cord that was attached to an industrial fan.  The 17 year old began to fall when the rifle was accidentally discharged, striking his 15 year old cousin.

The 17 year old was brought into the Investigations Division by Sheriff's detectives where he fully cooperated.  It was reported that the Pastor and his family had recently moved into the residential portion of the property.  This morning, detectives met with the Will County State's Attorney's Office to discuss the facts of the investigation.  It was determined that this was a tragic accident.  The 17 year old was released to his parents without charges.  He has a valid FOID card.   -end-