EDWARDS CO., Ill. – A man from Oklahoma took his own life yesterday afternoon at the little motel on Illinois Route 15 on the west edge of Albion in Edwards County.
Illinois State Police in District 19 Carmi report that the incident began yesterday (Monday, September 10, 2018), at approximately 3:00 a.m., when they and members of the Edwards County Sheriff’s Department conducted a welfare check on 40-year-old Cory Hicks, of Oklahoma City, at the Albion Motel.
When ISP Troopers and an Edwards County Deputy knocked on the Albion Motel room door, Hicks answered the door holding a firearm and threatening to harm himself. The male subject proceeded to withdraw back into the motel room and closed the door.
The ISP and Edwards County officers on scene secured the area and requested additional resources. ISP SWAT and ISP Crisis Negotiators responded to the area. The Crisis Negotiators spoke with the male subject throughout the day.
At approximately 1:50 p.m., Hicks was discovered deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Edwards County Coroner pronounced the individual deceased at the scene.
The Albion Police Department and Edwards County State’s Attorney were also involved with the incident. In addition, the Edwards County Ambulance Service provided an ambulance during the event. ISP Zone 7 Investigations will be conducting the follow-up investigation. When appropriate, additional information may be released.
There's been no word on why Hicks was in the area, nor what lead to the incident.