ST. LOUIS, MO – An FBI agent was shot in the Shawnee National Forest area of southern Illinois Sunday, May 15, in the search for Dracy “Clint” Pendleton, who was killed during the exchange of gunfire. The agent has been airlifted to St. Louis for treatment of his wounds and is expected to survive, reports KTVI.
Just after midnight Sunday morning, May 15, Pendleton was observed in by Illinois State Patrol SWAT running from a cemetery into the woods with what appeared to be a rifle and a bandolier, where he was covered by dense brush and trees. Authorities tracked him for half a mile to a nearby abandoned house. A perimeter was formed around the house around 5 a.m.
Upon approaching the house, Pendleton opened fire. FBI SWAT and ISP officers returned fire.
A remote controlled robot was sent into the house, which discovered Pendleton’s body on the second story floor along with the assault rifle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Pendleton was wanted for aggravated battery wire a firearm and is accused of shooting a Mahomet, Illinois police officer in the arm on May 7. It was believed that Pendleton may have also been struck in the neck, and may have sought medical treatment. After exchanging gunfire with police, Pendleton fled the scene and is said to have stolen a truck that was later found by authorities less than a week later.
He was believed to be dangerous and armed with an AK-47.
The Illinois State Police didn’t say exactly where they found the abandoned truck. But they intensified their search for Pendleton in the Lusk Creek Wilderness Area in Pope County. The wilderness area has been closed to the public since Monday, May 9.
