Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 2 Officials assist with manhunt and death investigation with the Geneseo Police Department, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, United States Marshal’s Service, (USMS) and Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC).
On Sept. 22, 2020 at approximately 4:22 a.m., Geneseo Police Department was notified by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office that Deputies attempted to make a traffic stop in Atkinson, Illinois on a vehicle. During the traffic stop, the driver, sole occupant, Jeffery Ryan Blunk, 30-year-old male of Geneseo, IL, fired one shot from a shotgun at the deputies. The Henry County Deputies did not return fire. Blunk fled the scene on foot.
The Geneseo Police Department assisted the Henry County Sheriff’s Office with the search for Blunk. During the investigation, it was revealed Blunk was observed in Geneseo, Illinois. ISP (DCI) Zone 2 Agents, along with officers from the USMS, and the IDOC assisted the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Geneseo Police Department with the search for Blunk.
At approximately 9:54 a.m., officers located Blunk in the area of US Hwy 6 and Dilenbeck Dr. in Geneseo, Illinois. He was armed with a shotgun. Officers attempted to negotiate and deescalate the situation with Blunk for over an hour and a half. The incident resulted in an officer involved shooting and the death of Blunk. The involved officer is a task force member of the United States Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force.
Blunk was wanted for Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, Home Invasion, Aggravated Kidnapping, and outstanding Felony Warrants.
On Sept. 23, 2020, the Henry County Coroner’s Office performed an autopsy of Blunk. Preliminary report indicates Blunk’s cause of death was a single gunshot wound of the head, pending toxicology.
On Sept. 23, 2020, at approximately 1:00 p.m., ISP Crime Scene Investigators were processing the vehicle Blunk was in at the time of the officer involved shooting, pursuant to a search warrant obtained by the ISP, and located one pipe bomb. For precautionary measures, the Geneseo Police Department, City Hall buildings, and nearby residents were evacuated. The public was asked to avoid the area of the 100 block of S. Oakwood Ave., Geneseo, Illinois. Quad City Bomb Squad recovered one pipe bomb, transported the evidence to a secure location, and there is no threat to the public.
The Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations Zone 2 Officials are continuing to investigate the incident; interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence including any video recordings.
***Report Courtesy of the Illinois State Police***
