Task force completes investigation of officer-involved shooting death of Logan Bell, case now in state’s attorney’s hands

Online Staff Report

Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato announced Jan. 4 that the Winnebago County Integrity Task Force had completed its investigation into the Oct. 11, 2012, shooting involving Rockford police officers Andre Brass, Phillip Statler and Jeremiah Cizerle.

The investigation centered on determining the events that resulted in the death of Logan Bell.

Bell, 18, was shot and killed by Rockford police Oct. 11 after police responded to a 911 call from a family member of Bell’s saying the teen was in possession of a handgun and was a danger to himself. According to police, Bell prompted pursuing officers to shoot after he raised his gun. Logan Bell, a relative of former Rockford Ald. Victory Bell, reportedly suffered from bipolar disorder.

Investigators of the Integrity Task Force delivered the results of the investigation to the Office of the State’s Attorney. The Office of the State’s Attorney will now begin to review the investigation. Once a review of the investigation is complete, a final determination will be made about whether to present the case to a Winnebago County grand jury, as each case must be individually evaluated before finalizing the decision to proceed to the grand jury.

At this point, no specific timetable has been set for reaching the decision on presentation to the grand jury. A review of any investigation must be thorough, and also must allow for the possibility of follow-up investigation. Should the need arise for follow-up investigation, those matters would continue to be handled by the Winnebago County Integrity Task Force.

Posted Jan. 4, 2013