By Jim Hagerty
Contributor

ROCKFORD — Two shooting incidents on the same Rockford street Sunday do not appear to be linked.

The first incident occurred at approximately 3 p.m., near the intersection of Ashland and Ridge avenues. Witnesses told officers that several shots were fired while two vehicles, one light-colored and one dark in color, were in the intersection. Police later discovered the dark-colored vehicle. They also located an 18-year-old female victim at a local hospital.

According to Rockford Police Lt. Andre Bass, the victim suffered a single gunshot wound and underwent surgery Sunday. Her condition is currently listed as serious.

Bass reported that at around 9:30 p.m., in the 600 block of Ashland Avenue, a vehicle and a house were hit by gunfire. The vehicle was not occupied. There were people in the house but nobody was hurt.

Witnesses say an unknown vehicle fled the scene after the shots were fired. A description of the vehicle is not available.

The shootings come three days after Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato and Rockford Police Chief Dan O’Shea announced that area law enforcement agencies are increasing their focus on domestic violence and gun crimes.

No arrests have been made in either incident. Anyone with information should call the Rockford Police Department non-emergency number at 815-966-2900, the Investigations Bureau, 779-500-6551 or Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867. R.