Southern Ill. officers responding to report of house struck by gunshot find another house on fire, person dead

BENTON, Ill. (KFVS) - Southern Illinois investigators responding to a report of a house struck by a gunshot found another house on fire and a person dead.

According to the Benton Police Department, they were assisting the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office with a report of a gunshot hitting a house in the 400 block of North 10th Street in Benton around 11:26 p.m. on March 4.

When they arrived, police say they found the house across the street was on fire. Officers tried to get in, but there was too much smoke.

According to police, some neighbors were evacuated for their safety.

Once the Benton Fire Department extinguished the fire, crews searched the home and found the resident dead with multiple guns near him.

Police say no further injuries were reported.

The Illinois State Police Crime Scene was called out to process the scene.

The Franklin County Coroner’s Office is conducting an autopsy.

ISP, the Illinois State Fire Marshal, West Frankfort Fire Department and West City Fire Department assisted at the scene.