Crime
Gerald Waligorski Dies by Self-Inflicted Gunshot After Shooting Wife and Killing Her Parents in Pike County Shooting Spree
NEW CANTON, Ill. — Authorities in Pike County are investigating a deadly shooting spree that left two people dead, one person critically injured, and the suspect dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Pike County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 67-year-old Gerald E. Waligorski, of New Canton, was identified as the suspect. Deputies discovered his body inside his residence following a search warrant executed by a SWAT team.
According to Sheriff’s Deputy Zach Orr, deputies were dispatched around 6 a.m. Thursday to a home in the 300 block of Mississippi Street in New Canton after receiving reports of gunfire.
Upon arrival, officers located Waligorski’s wife suffering from a gunshot wound. She told police that her husband had shot her and threatened her parents. The woman was airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment.
In response to her statement, officers conducted a welfare check at her parents’ residence in the 200 block of Monroe Street, where they tragically found both victims deceased from gunshot wounds. Their identities have not yet been released pending notification of family members.
As law enforcement searched for Waligorski, local authorities issued warnings to residents to remain indoors, describing the situation as an active shooter threat. Nearby schools, including Griggsville-Perry School District, Western School District, and Pikeland CUSD 10, were placed on soft lockdown as a precaution.
A SWAT team later executed a search warrant at Waligorski’s residence, where he was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Pike County Sheriff’s Office stated that the motive behind the killings remains under investigation. Officials with the Hull Kinderhook Fire Protection District confirmed the area is now secure, and law enforcement agencies have lifted all lockdown measures.
SPENCER, OKLAHOMA — Authorities have confirmed that a 17-year-old student was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon following a violent altercation near Star Spencer High School in Spencer, Oklahoma.
According to the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded shortly after an altercation broke out among a group of juveniles near the intersection of Northeast 34th Street and Spencer Road.
During the confrontation, one of the individuals reportedly produced a firearm and opened fire, striking a male teenager.
Emergency personnel transported the victim to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The victim was later identified by Oklahoma City Public Schools officials as 17-year-old Sebastian Guyton, a student at Star Spencer High School.
Following the shooting, law enforcement initiated a search of the area. One suspect was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit, though authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the individual’s identity or potential charges.
As a precaution, several nearby schools were placed on temporary lockdown while officers secured the area.
Classes at Star Spencer High School have been canceled for the remainder of the week in light of the tragedy.
In a statement released Wednesday, Star Spencer High School officials expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their student:
“Please help keep our Bobcat family and friends in your thoughts during this very difficult time,” the statement read.
The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.