Staff Report

ROCKFORD – A 25-year-old man was pronounced dead at a local hospital Tuesday after being shot in the parking lot of a west side fast-food restaurant.

Police say shortly after 9:30 p.m., officers responded to Taco Bell at 2602 Auburn St. in reference to a shooting. They located a 25-year-old male and a 37-year-old female victim in a vehicle in the parking lot.

Both victims were transported to a local hospital where the male was pronounced dead. His identity is not being released at this time pending family notification.

The female’s injuries are considered serious, but non-life-threatening. At this time, the incident does not appear to be random.

There have now been 18 homicides in Rockford this year, one more than last year’s total.

Detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit are conducting a follow-up investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Rockford Police at 815-966-2900. R.