On 11-02-08 at 8:35 PM a cellular 9-1-1 call came into the Monroe County Dispatch Center about a shooting at 4567 Orlet Road, unincorporated Waterloo. A female called and said her friend had been shot by her friend’s husband. The female drove to a nearby neighbor’s house and waited for police. St. Clair County Sheriff’s Deputies, Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy, Illinois State Police and Waterloo Police all responded to the residence. Upon their arrival they could see two bodies, a male and a female, lying inside the residence near the front door. The residence was locked and Deputies had to secure the perimeter then force entry through a kitchen window. Once inside they discovered the male and female were both obviously deceased. Monroe County EMS was on scene and confirmed this.
The female friend told Investigators she went with: Joan M. Scharf, w/f, 41 years old, same address to her residence to pick up a book bag for her children. She had been separated from her husband and they were going through a divorce. She had been living somewhere else with the children. Joan Scharf drove her vehicle with the female friend in the passenger seat. Joan Scharf entered her residence through the front door and the female friend heard a loud noise she thought was a door slamming. She continued to sit in the vehicle and then saw the husband: Brian K. Scharf, w/m, 41 years old, same address. Brian Scharf walked out of the front door and walked towards the car. Brian Scharf told her he just shot Joan and she better leave. She looked down and saw him holding a large black revolver. She slid over to the driver’s seat and put the car in reverse to drive away and called 9-1-1.
Investigators from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, Illinois State Police Crime Scene and St. Clair County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene. The following information was discovered:
- Joan Scharf died of multiple gun shots to the head inflicted by Brian Scharf.
- Brian Scharf then shot himself in the head and died at the scene.
- Brian Scharf was still holding a black .357 revolver in his hand. The gun had several spent shells and several live bullets.
- Joan Scharf was still holding the child’s book bag.
- Joan and Brian were in the middle of a separation.
- There had been no previous police calls at this residence or reported domestic abuse. Neither had ever been charged with a crime in St. Clair County.
- The three children of the Scharf’s were with the female friend’s husband at the time of the shooting.
- The children are currently with relatives.
- About 50 rifles and pistols were secured from the residence by Sheriff’s Investigators.
- The investigation is ongoing.
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Captain Steve Johnson
Chief Investigator
Criminal Investigation Section
St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department
618-277-3505 x5715
