LaSalle County State’s Attorney Todd Martin is deciding today what charges to bring against a 35-year old man who allegedly shot at two Oglesby police officers last night.
At a news conference this morning, Sheriff Tom Templeton said it’s not known why Peter Douglas Bergsma pulled the gun out or what connection he has to this area. His RV with Michigan plates was parked behind the Illinois Valley Community College automotive building. A security guard called police about it.
And Templeton says at first, Bergsma talked to the officers who showed up. Then he allegedly fired the gun, got a graze wound to the head when the police shot back, and stole one of the squad cars. He abandoned it not far away and went on foot until police on the Shippingsport Bridge caught him.
Two squad cars are damaged. None of the residents in the area was hurt. And the police officers weren’t hurt either.
Oglesby Police Chief Doug Hayse says both police officers are on administrative leave for now. That is normal after police are involved in a shooting and isn’t indicative of fault.
Left to right: Sheriff Tom Templeton, Oglesby Police Chief Doug Hayse, and State’s Attorney Todd Martin