http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-883790.mp3
Macomb, IL – Police still don't know why 19 year old Jonathan Labbe from the town of Tennessee entered the Macomb Farm King Wednesday and began shooting. But they are beginning to release more information about the incident, which lasted roughly seven hours.
The first 911 call came from inside Farm King at around 12:45, when an estimated 50 to 100 people were inside the store.
Macomb Police Chief Curt Barker says Labbe entered the store with an unloaded AR-15 .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle.
"We're estimating approximately 23 rounds were fired," says Barker. "16 of those were fired at officers out the door at the front entrance of the building."
Barker says no one was injured except for the gunman himself, who died from a self inflicted gun shot wound.
Barker says when purchasing ammunition from Farm King, an employee unlocks the case to get the requested items, then asks for ID, which is then sent to customer service for processing. Police believe this is when Labbe took the ammunition. He did not have a FOID card.
Most of the customers and employees quickly exited the store once shots were fired, but there were a total of eight people trapped inside. Two individuals were talking to police via cell phone and told officers where they were. Barker says his team had a schematic of the building, and directed the two people out the nearest exit.
Three employees and three customers, one of whom was a child, were still inside a couple hours longer into the ordeal. He says no one was taken hostage at any time.
"The other individuals were inside an office," says Barker. "We redirected them to a securer office and at that time, the tactical response team entered and escorted each one of [them] out."
Near sunset, teams sent in a remote-controlled tactical robot to survey and secure the store. It found no one else inside, except for Labbe. Police don't know when he died.
Barker says he's been speaking with Labbe's mother, who he says is extremely distraught. He says she knew he was going to Farm King, and when she heard the first radio announcements about a shooter in the store, she knew it was him.
Barker says Labbe's mother continued to remind him of the good things her son accomplished in his life.
"In one incident, he helped [police] catch an individual, and we actually gave him a Citizens' Award," says Barker. "He was a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters."
Barker says Labbe helped officers chase down and detain a suspect in a drug related case. Labbe also spent time volunteering at the McDonough County Animal Shelter.
"There is no motive," says Barker. "Everyone was just speculating, there was nothing. He never made any comments, didn't leave a note or anything like that to tell us why he was doing what he was doing."
The investigation into the Macomb Farm King shooting continues. Until it's finished, the store will remain closed. Barker could not say how long the investigation will continue. He says surveillance video from inside the store is not available.
NOTE: The included audio is from Thursday morning's press conference at the Macomb Police station. The reporters' questions are off mic and may be difficult to hear.
To listen to the 911 audio, click here.