2 found dead after shots fired, house fire in Sheridan, suspect in custody: LaSalle County sheriff

SHERIDAN, Ill. (WLS) -- Two people are dead after a report of shots fired and a house fire in LaSalle County Thursday morning, the sheriff's office said.

A suspect was taken into custody following a manhunt.

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Officers received a report of shots fired at 12:52 a.m. 4200-block of 2551st Road in Sheridan Illinois and later received a report of a house fire at the residence.

After the fire was put out, police said they found two people dead inside the home.

"When the fire was put out deputies discovered two persons deceased inside the home," Lasalle County Undersheriff David Ortiz said.

Sheriff's deputies said a third person was injured by shrapnel as they were attempting to leave the area and was taken to the hospital to be treated. They were expected to be okay.

Investigators believe the suspect drove away and they are actively looking for him. They announced an arrest warrant for 45-year-old Ronald W. Martin of Sheridan.

The LaSalle County Sheriff's Office took a suspect into custody after two people were found dead after shots were fired at a house fire in Sheridan.

Martin was later taken into custody, police said in an update after 6 p.m. He was wanted for six count of murder.

"We can look online basically to see if they've passed certain cameras," Ortiz said. 'At this point we haven't come across that, so it's hard to tell if he's in this area or fled completely."

Police did not say what the relationship is between the suspect and the two people who were found dead. Their identities have not been released.

There is a trailer, some apartments and a house on the property where the crime occurred.

Video from Chopper 7, showed a yellow home with roof damage with several police vehicles surrounding it.

LaSalle County Sheriff's Office give an update after two people were found dead in Sheridan, Illinois.

The sheriff's office says the fire that was started is already causing issues within the investigation.

At this time, they do not know if the two adult victims died from gunshot wounds or injuries suffered in the fire.

"It definitely makes the investigation more difficult if indeed these victims were deceased from gunshots, the fire is going to make it much harder to investigate," Ortiz said.

Officers brought a K-9 to the scene to help with their investigation. The state fire marshal's office also responded to the scene.