Shooting Suspect Arrested With Body Armor, Faces Attempted Murder Charge in Illinois

A Rockford man is in custody after allegedly firing at a vehicle during an argument and later being arrested with a loaded gun, ammunition, and body armor.

Late-Night Shooting Sparks Police Response in Rockford

According to a Rockford Police Department press release, officers responded to reports of gunfire around 10:35 pm on Friday, March 13, in the 1000 block of South Main Street in Rockford.

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Investigators say a man, later identified as 53-year-old William Gary, allegedly fired a weapon during an argument, striking a vehicle occupied by another individual.

No injuries were reported, but the gunfire prompted an immediate search for the suspect, who fled the scene before officers arrived.

SCOPE Officers Track Down Armed Suspect

A few hours following the gunfire, specialized units with the Rockford Police Department's SCOPE team located Gary in the 1000 block of Chamberlain Street.

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Police say he attempted to evade officers by driving away, but was later taken into custody in the 900 block of North Rockton Avenue, according to the press release.

During the arrest, officers recovered a loaded handgun and a significant amount of ammunition. Authorities also reported that Gary was wearing body armor at the time of his apprehension, raising additional concerns about the severity of the incident.

Multiple Felony Charges Filed

Following a review by the Winnebago County State's Attorney's Office, Gary now faces multiple charges, including attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, and aggravated assault to police.

Additional counts include possessing ammunition without a valid FOID card, criminal damage to property, resisting arrest, and unlawful possession of body armor.

According to the report, Gary remains in custody and is expected to be lodged in the Winnebago County Jail as the case moves forward through the Illinois court system.