Rockford man in custody in fatal Tuesday night shooting

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Shawndel Wilbourn, 23, of Rockford, is in police custody tonight on charges of shooting and killing a Rockford man inside the victim’s home.

The incident happened just before midnight Tuesday in the 700 block of N. Winnebago Street. Police received a call from a woman who reported a shooting inside a residence. Police found a 20-year-old man who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Wilbourn risks possession of stolen goods, possession of a firearm without a valid FOID, and possession of ammunition without a valid FOID charge.

Summer Cassata saw the flashing lights of police cars through the windows of her house on N. Winnebago Street.

“I was just lying in my room when I had just heard the sirens and then I saw the lights shining through my window so I looked out the window and there were just a ton of police cars there. -low. I couldn’t see much, but I could see that they had started to tape the place, ”Cassata said.

Cassata says this is the second shooting in her neighborhood in recent months. Police found a dozen shell casings in the area after a drive-by shooting in late July. Cassata says she’s had enough.

“Honestly, I don’t feel safe, but we thought about moving … Things are bad here.”

A neighbor, who did not want to pass in front of the camera, said the shooting occurred just below his apartment. Police say helping people feel safe and fight violence is their daily goal.

“It is unfortunate that we have homicides but that it is happening so early in the year,” said Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd.

Rockford saw 24 murders last year and set a record 36 murders in 2020.

“We are not throwing in the towel … We are far from having done it. Especially when we know who our players are who are out there and which ones tend to wreak havoc in the community. Rest assured that we are aware and will pursue you if you choose to continue down this path, ”said Chief Redd.

Wilbourn is due in court Thursday afternoon. No deposit amount has been set.

Police say they are still investigating and further charges may be laid.

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