IL Manhunt Ends With 1 In Custody After 2 Killed In Shooting, Fire: Police

SHERIDAN, IL — A Sheridan man is in custody, bringing an end to the daylong manhunt that followed a reported overnight shooting and house fire, which left two people dead in rural LaSalle County, according to authorities.

Ronald W. Martin, 45, was arrested on suspicion of six counts of murder, police said Thursday evening. A search warrant was executed at Martin's home, two miles from where the bodies were found, NBC Chicago reported.

"We appreciate the cooperation of the community and the efforts of all assisting agencies who helped bring this case to a safe resolution," police said in a social media post announcing the arrest.

Emergency personnel received a 911 call shortly before 1 a.m. Thursday about gunfire at a home in the area of North 42nd Road in Sheridan, Undersheriff David Ortiz told reporters at a press conference published in full by WLS. Roughly 25 minutes after the call about the shooting, a house fire was reported at the same address, he said, adding once the fire was out, deputies found two adults dead in the home.

In addition to the deceased and Martin, there were two other people present when the incident unfolded, one of whom was taken to the hospital for injuries and the other of whom called 911, according to Ortiz.

A local daycare was closed on Thursday, and residents are advised to be on the lookout and report anything suspicious, Ortiz said.

Illinois State Police and the U.S. Marshals were assisting with the investigation, as was the state fire marshal, according to Ortiz.