GIBSON CITY, Ill. (Chambana Today) — One week ago today, the town of Gibson City woke up to terrifying news. Two police officers were shot, a house burned up in flames, and a suspect was on the loose. Residents were told to stay at home and lock their doors.
By now, most people know what happened. Officers from the Gibson City Police Department (GCPD) and Ford County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) responded to a report of a naked man walking the streets at 2:31 a.m. When officers arrived at the residence of the man, now known to be David Jordan, 70, shots were fired at them.
The FCSO deputy, a six-year veteran, sustained gunshot wounds to the left knee and arm, while the GCPD officer, one year into the force, was hit in the left hip. Neither officer discharged their weapon during the incident, and both were released one day after being hospitalized on Saturday.
Authorities have stressed that while there is no current threat to the public, Jordan should not be approached.
What we know
On Wednesday, August 13, Zeno Jo of the Chambana Today newsroom traveled to Gibson City to report from the scene of David Jordan’s house and speak to neighbors.
Below is a portion of a screenshot from Google Maps showing Ash Street. When traveling from Champaign to Gibson City, you will more likely than not pass it by traveling northbound on Sangamon Avenue. Jordan’s 146 Ash Street house is outlined with a red rectangle at the end of the street. Tape from the video above begins at the house neighboring Jordan’s.
A neighbor who lives down the street from the home, who wished to be unnamed, shared that the fire from Jordan’s house had spread to the garage of the neighboring home, resulting in a demolition of the garage on Tuesday. He also shared that the family that lived next door to Jordan is currently living elsewhere.
He retold his version of events, explaining that he did not know what had happened just down the street until he woke up and had his morning coffee at around 6 a.m.
Across the street from the site of Jordan’s burned down home is a warehouse that is inaccessible by car due to the road being taped off at Jordan’s neighbor’s house. The warehouse belongs to JELCO Supply, a shop most well-known for selling firearms.
Chambana Today reached out to Ed Miller, the owner of JELCO Supply. Miller said that in 2019, his business moved into downtown Gibson City, just a few minutes north on Sangamon Avenue, in 2019, and has used the warehouse for storage.
Miller shared that the incident has not impeded his business, and that he does not expect it to.
Both Miller and the neighbor said that a reported sighting of Jordan resulted in a police response in Sibley, about ten miles north of Gibson City.
As of today, David Jordan is still on the loose. Anyone with information about his location is urged to contact local law enforcement or submit a tip through the ISP Crime Tip website. The investigation remains ongoing, and no further information has been released at this time.