ARCOLA, Ill. (WCIA) — Authorities are investigating after a man was shot in a small Douglas County community Friday morning. The situation has left many people in town shocked.

The shooting happened in Arcola in the area of South Pine and East Washington Streets. Authorities said the man was shot around midnight and taken to a hospital in Urbana in serious condition.

Some people in town said a crime like this is unusual for the City of Arcola.

“We have no bad neighborhoods in Arcola,” said Arcola resident Vicki Gilbert. “I would be comfortable living anywhere in this town.”

That’s why this shooting has people in town shaken up. Authorities said this man was shot in a residential neighborhood.

“I want my community to feel safe and keeping our town a small town with a lot of love,” said Mayor Jesus Garza. “Big love, big heart, that’s why we like to do.”

Garza said he can’t even remember the last time a shooting has happened in the city, it’s likely been years.

“I saw that on Facebook this morning, and I was quite shocked about that,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert has lived in Arcola for 50 years and said she’s lived there for that long because it feels safe. Mayor Garza said right now the city has six full time officers but would like to see more.

He plans to meet with the city administrator next week and the police chief to work through any concerns.

“We are planning to hire more police, and we are planning to find a way that we can enforce this,” Garza said. “Not have more people shooting around here in Arcola because this town is family.”

State Police is handling the investigation and authorities said there is no threat to the public.
We have no details on the condition of the victim at this time.