Story Published:
Oct 18, 2009 at 8:13 PM CST
Story Updated:
Oct 20, 2009 at 2:59 PM CST
A bizarre sequence of events unfolded in the small town of Smithville, Sunday.
Officials say 43-year-old Crystal Saric and her mother, 63-year-old Geraldine Worske went to speak with Crystal's estranged husband when he opened fire on them.
Authorities say Crystal Saric, and Gearaldine Worske were shot in front of Saric's home Sunday morning...just one block from the Smithville Bible Church.
The alleged assailant is 40-year-old Joseph Saric, Crystal's husband, officials they were in the process of a divorce.
Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy says, "The one lady that was wounded had sense enough to drive and drive up here and the people in the church are the ones that called for help and took care of her."
The Peoria County Coroner says Crystal was shot multiple times before driving away, and Worske had been shot once in the chest... was pronounced dead in front of the church.
Crystal Saric was transported to OSF St. Francis Medical Center for treatment.
But Joseph was nowhere to be found.
Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy says, "There were witnesses that identified him and gave us his name and everything else as the one that was doing the shooting. There were witnesses to the shooting."
After a search of the Saric's home, police set out on a man hunt.
Saric was found hours later, armed and walking down a road in rural Glasford.
A standoff ensued.
Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy says, "We had a negotiator there that talked, everybody there did a nice hob and no more people were hurt and we were allowed to make an arrest."
Ashley Petersen, a neighbor, says she knows Crystal, particularly the couple's her nine-year-old daughter.
Petersen says their children played together, even went to church together...she says it was an emotional day for her.
Neighbor Ashley Petersen says, "I'd be okay for a little bit, then I'd start crying again. Especially when my daughter would come up and talk to me. It's just like...How am I going to tell her if something happens to that little girl up the street."
But officials say the nine-year-old girl is safe, and has been staying with Joseph Saric's family in Wisconsin.
Police believe Joseph Saric acted alone, and he's currently being held at the Peoria County Sheriff's Department.
Neighbors say Crystal Seric had left their Smithville home about a month ago to move in with her parents in Bartonville.
Sunday, Oct 25 at 7:10 PM Kim wrote ...
I do not live in the area, but my condolences go out to the families on each end of this tragedy. It is always heartbreaking to learn of situations like this, but it seems to be happening more and more often these days:( To all those who lost your mother, grandmother, wife, sister, friend and/or neighbor: my deepest sympathies for your loss. Never again will she hunger, thirst, freeze or fear. Also, I would like to mention that this article was not written very well.