Sheriff: Effingham Man Admits He Shot Himself

The Effingham County sheriff says a man who reported he was shot in the leg while running in the Little Wabash River Bottoms has confessed to accidentally shooting himself.

David Koester told the Effingham Daily News on Monday that he apologizes to law enforcement and to the community. He says he made a mistake.

The 21-year-old originally told police he was running with his dog Dec. 19 when he was shot with a small-caliber bullet in his left calf. In response, sheriff's police and Illinois State Police conducted aerial and ground searches for a suspect.

Effingham County Sheriff Dave Mahon says he has forwarded the case to Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler. Kibler said Tuesday that he hasn't yet reviewed the report.