Homicide

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - A Rockford man is guilty of murder in the beating death of another man on the city's west side last year. Winnebago County State's Attorney Marilyn Hite Ross reported Friday that Douglas Williams, 57, was convicted of seven-counts of first-degree murder after a jury trial in front of Judge Debra Schafter. The conviction stems from the death of 64-year-old Samuel Randolph, who was found dead in his 621 Alliance Avenue home. "The jury found that the…

By Russ Bynum Associated Press BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — A state investigator alleged Thursday that a white man was heard saying a racist slur as he stood over Ahmaud Arbery's body, moments after killing him with three shots from a pump-action shotgun.  In a hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed with a murder trial, the lead Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent in the case testified that Travis and Greg McMichael and a third man in another pickup, William "Roddie"…

By Amy Forliti and Steve Karnowski Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prosecutors are charging a Minneapolis police officer accused of pressing his knee against George Floyd's neck with second-degree murder, and for the first time will level charges against three other officers at the scene, a newspaper reported Wednesday. Widely seen bystander video showing Floyd's May 25 death has sparked sometimes violent protests nationwide and around the world. The officer, Derek Chauvin, was fired…

By Amy Forliti and Steve Karnowski Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An autopsy commissioned for George Floyd's family found that he died of asphyxiation due to neck and back compression when a Minneapolis police officer held his knee on Floyd's neck until he stopped breathing, ignoring his cries of distress, the family's attorneys said Monday. The autopsy by a doctor who also examined Eric Garner's body found the compression cut off blood to Floyd's brain, and weight on his back made…

By Tim Sullivan and Amy Forliti Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minneapolis officer who was seen on video kneeling on the neck of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died in custody after pleading that he could not breathe, was arrested Friday. Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington said Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension arrested Derek Chauvin. He's charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.  The arrest comes after three days of protests,…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter MACHESNEY PARK - The three people found dead inside a Machesney Park apartment in the 1100 block of Minns Drive Wednesday afternoon were victims of a murder-suicide, the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office reported Thursday. The sheriff's office said 37-year-old Michael Earls fatally shot 28-year-old Sandra Fernandez-Cardenas and her 11-year-old son before killing himself. Deputies discovered the bodies just after 4 p.m., when they responded to 911 call that…

By Amy Forlitti and Jeff Baenen Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Four Minneapolis officers involved in the arrest of a handcuffed black man who died in police custody were fired Tuesday, hours after a bystander's video showed the man pleading that he could not breathe as a white officer knelt on his neck. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced the firings on Twitter, saying "This is the right call." The man's death Monday night after he struggled with officers was under investigation by…

Update: The suspect in last weekend's incident has been identified as Antonio Wilson, 35, of Freeport. Polices say he killed a 19-year-old man and wounded two other people.  A high-powered weapon, able to penetrate walls, was used by the suspect in a firefight with officers. By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - An hours-long standoff with a suspect in a fatal shooting at an east-side hotel is over after police say the gunman killed himself. Rockford Police Chief Dan O'Shea said officers…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - At least one person is dead in an active-shooter situation on Rockford's east side. Police arrived at the scene around 12:40 a.m., Sunday, and located three victims. Two were wounded. The other was pronounced dead. Rockford Police Chief Dan O'Shea said the suspect then barricaded himself inside Super 8 Motel on Colosseum Drive. "We are currently in a standoff with the suspect," O'Shea said. "Gunfire has been exchanged between the suspect and the…

Update: Two people have been arrested in connection with Saturday's fatal shooting. Daisean Davis, 17, of Rockford, is charged with first-degree murder, felony murder during an armed robbery, and armed robbery. Twenty-year-old Avontay Murphy, of Rockford, is charged with unauthorized sale of a firearm and no FOID. By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - The Rockford Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a 21-year-man dead Saturday night on the city's near-east side. Police…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - One person is dead after five people were shot outside a west-side gas station Wednesday night. Rockford Police Chief Dan O'Shea said at around 7:10 p.m., officers heard gunshots, responded to the Citgo Way Low station at 2914 W. State St., and located the five victims. "One of the victims has since been pronounced deceased," the chief said. "The four other victims are at local hospitals being treated. One of them has critical injuries." The other…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - An arrest warrant has beeb issued in a homicide that occurred in Rockford earlier this week. Darryl Lyles, 34, of Rockford, is charged with first-degree murder, allegations that stem from a fatal shooting that occurred at 1135 Benton St., Monday. "At approximately 7:25 p.m., Rockford Police officers responded to a shots-fired call in the 1100 block of Benton Street," Rockford Police Public Information Officer said in a release. "Upon arrival, officers…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - Police are investigating a shooting on the city's west side, where officials say a 16-year-old boy was killed. Police say at around 3 a.m., officers responded to a shots-fired report on the 1000 block of Hess Court, inside the Fairgrounds Valley housing development. There, they located the victim and pronounced him dead at the scene. The incident marks the second homicide in Rockford this year. The Rock River Times will have more on this story as…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - A Rockford man is in custody following a shooting that left one dead and other wounded inside a Machesney Park bar early Sunday. Kenneth J. Johnson, 28, is charged with eight counts of first-degree murder and single counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and no FOID. A warrant for Johnson's arrest was obtained after deputies responded to Cronies Grill, 9032 N. Second St., at around 1:20 a.m., and found…