Update at 5:30 p.m.

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The suspect who was arrested after a 10-hour standoff in Jacksonville is accused of hitting a victim he knew and firing a gun during an act of domestic battery, police said.

The Jacksonville Police Department provided updated information Friday afternoon about the standoff that happened in the morning. They identified the suspect as 37-year-old Thomas M. Loughary and provided details about his alleged crimes.

Kyle Chumley, JPD Commander of Investigations, said that around 1:23 a.m. on Friday, officers received a report of a domestic battery that occurred in the area of Park and Smithland Streets. Patrol officers arrived and located a victim.

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“Officers learned that Thomas Loughary had struck the victim, who was
known to him, and a firearm was discharged during the event,” Chumley said. “The victim was treated at Jacksonville Memorial Hospital and later released.”

Loughary subsequently barricaded himself in a home, which prompted officers to evacuate surrounding homes and set up a perimeter. The Jacksonville Police Department Special Response Team and Illinois State Police SWAT Team arrived on scene and began negotiations with Loughary.

At around 11:30 a.m., Loughary surrendered without incident. He was taken into custody on preliminary charges of domestic battery, aggravated discharge of a firearm, possession of a weapon by a felon and possession of a weapon with a FOID card previously revoked.

Loughary is in the Morgan County jail, awaiting an initial appearance before a judge. County court records do not indicate formal charges have been filed against him by the State’s Attorney’s Office at this time.

Update at 12:30 p.m.

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — With the barricade situation near Jacksonville Middle School resolved, the school district said it will return to its normal bus schedule for the afternoon.

This means Jacksonville High School students will be dropped off at Jacksonville Middle School for transfer to other routes.

Update at 11:50 a.m.

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The barricade situation in Jacksonville ended with the suspect involved being taken into custody.

The Illinois State Police provided an update on the situation at 11:50 a.m. Officials said that 20 minutes earlier, the suspect safely exited the home where they were barricaded, and the suspect was taken into custody for medical evaluation.

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State Police also provided new details about how the barricade situation started. They said that Jacksonville Police responded to the home on Park Street around 1 a.m. for a report of a domestic disturbance with shots being fired.

“JPD officers communicated with the subject, but he was initially uncooperative,” State Police said. “JPD requested ISP to respond with crisis negotiators and SWAT officers.”

After more than 10 hours, the situation ended with no injuries to officers or the suspect. State Police did not comment on any possible charges the suspect may be facing.

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — A barricade situation in Jacksonville has resulted in both a standoff between police and the suspect and the closure of the nearby Jacksonville Middle School.

The standoff near Park and Smithland Streets has been in progress since at least 6:41 a.m. On social media, Jacksonville Police said the incident is considered isolated, and they asked people to avoid the area.

The Illinois State Police is involved in the standoff as well. Officials from that agency told WCIA the suspect is believed to be armed, but alone. This is not a hostage situation.

The public is not considered to be at risk at this time, State Police added.

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Jacksonville Middle School is located across the street from where the standoff is happening. On social media, Superintendent Steve Ptacek said police advised staff not to start instruction, as the situation is dangerous and it could continue into the school day.

As a result, JMS will be closed on Friday. This only applies to the middle school; Ptacek said police informed the school district that it is safe for instruction to continue at Washington Elementary School, about a mile away.

“If you reside near the affected area and do not feel comfortable allowing your student to leave your home, please contact your school to report your child’s absence, which will be excused under these circumstances,” Ptacek said. “There will be no bus transfers at JMS this morning. Bus drivers will transport students directly to their respective schools. As a result, some students may be dropped off later than usual. School principals have been notified of this possibility.”

Students at Jacksonville High School who are normally picked up at JMS will instead be picked up in front of Washington Elementary at the corner of Fayette and Anna Streets.

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Because the situation affects only one school, Ptacek said the district does not need to make up the missed day under Illinois State Board of Education guidelines.

Nearby businesses are also seeing impacts to operations as a result of the situation. The lobby of the Jacksonville branch of Prairie State Bank & Trust is closed, with the bank only providing drive-up service.

Illinois College is also near the scene of the standoff. Bryan Leonard, the college’s Director of Marketing and Communication, told WCIA that while some athletic courts have been closed as a precaution, office hours and instruction are continuing as normal on campus. Administrators are monitoring the situation and are communicating with law enforcement.

This is a developing story.

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