MARION COUNTY — Authorities have released the name of the 23-year-old Centralia man who reportedly died Monday after being found suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Marion County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as Kale Black.
Marion County Coroner Troy Cannon says Black was transported from a rural Jefferson County location Monday afternoon to the Emergency Department of St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, where he was later pronounced deceased by the Emergency Room Physician on duty.
According to preliminary information from police investigators, Black apparently stole a firearm from an acquaintance in the Centralia area, then stole a vehicle from the Blue Goose parking lot in Wamac.
Black then drove the vehicle to the rural Jefferson County location, where he exited the vehicle and shot himself with the weapon. The incident was reportedly witnessed by another motorist who happened upon the scene.
Centralia Police, Wamac Police, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office are involved in the investigation of the sequence of events leading up to the fatal incident.
Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigators assisted with processing evidence from the scene and the vehicle, and assisted the Coroner’s Office with gathering evidence from Mr. Black’s body.
Samples were also taken for submission for laboratory analysis to determine whether toxicology may have played a role in the incident.
Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigators assisted with processing evidence from the scene and the vehicle, and assisted the Coroner’s Office with gathering evidence from Mr. Black’s body.
Samples were also taken for submission for laboratory analysis to determine whether toxicology may have played a role in the incident.
From all evidence gathered through the multi-jurisdictional investigation, Cannon has determined there is no evidence of foul play or of any issues in this case other than an intentional self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Pagel Funeral Home in Edgewood is assisting the Black family with arrangements.