Illinois State Police, who are leading the investigation, said officers were called to the scene at 4:48 a.m. About two and a half hours later, the suspect was involved in a car chase with officers in nearby Green County, Ill.
"Shots were exchanged, police took suspect in custody while he was in possession of multiple weapons at approximately 7:27 a.m.," Illinois State Police Capt. Todd Kilby said. The suspect was taken to the hospital, where he died, Kilby said. "There is no reason to believe there is any further danger to the communities, or that there are any other suspects."
The victims have not been identified.
Anyone with information should call officials at ( 217) 786- 6677. The investigation is "preliminary, very fluid," Kilby said.
"Scott County is a small community. Fortunately this type of thing doesn't happen here very often. But this is proof that it can happen," Scott County State's Attorney Michael Hill said.
The Scott County sheriff called two area school superintendents around 6 a.m. to tell them about the shooting, and that a suspect was on the loose. Superintendent David Roberts of the Winchester School District and Les Stevens of the North Greene Unit District No. 3 said they both immediately canceled classes when they were told of the shootings, and that other school districts had done the same.
Manchester, located in Scott County, Ill., is a town of about 300 people located about 50 miles west of Springfield.
