One killed, two others injured when they surprise a burglar near New Athens, police say

Editor’s note: This story has been updated June 4, 2022, with the latest description from authorities of a vehicle they are seeking as part of the investigation.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department and Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis are investigating a shooting that has left one person dead and two others injured.

Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 9300 block of Golden Rule Mine Road in rural New Athens on a report of a shooting around 11:29 a.m., according to a news release from the department.

At the scene, they found that three people had been shot outside the home, one of them already dead. A second person had critical injuries and was airlifted to a St. Louis hospital. A third was taken away from the scene in an ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators said the victims were all men, ages 50, 47 and 25.

It appears the three were shot when they arrived at the home and interrupted a burglary, police said.

Authorities are looking for a light blue Chevrolet Equinox with a yellow light or small light bar on the roof that they believe may have been at the scene. (Police initially said they were looking for a blue or gray Chevrolet Lumina with a yellow light on top.)

Capt. Bruce Fleshren of the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department is heading up the Major Case Squad investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department at 618-825-2051.

This story was originally published June 2, 2022 at 2:39 PM.