Staff Report

ROCKFORD —  A Rockford man is wanted on weapons charges following a shooting on the city’s west side last week.

At around 1 a.m., Friday, Rockford officers  responded to the 500 block of Webster Avenue in reference to a shooting victim. Upon arrival, they located a 32-year-old woman suffering from a gunshot wound inside a female friend’s residence.

Police say 37-year-old Jeremy Royalty, and another male were at the residence when Royalty accidentally fired one round from a handgun, striking the victim in the chest. She was transported to a local hospital where she was treated for serious injuries. She is expected to survive.

Police say Royalty and the victim are acquaintances.

Detectives from the Rockford Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit conducted a follow-up investigation; the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s authorized charges unlawful use of weapons by a felon and reckless discharge of a firearm against Royalty. He is still at large. Bond is set at $50,000. R.