Rockford Police Make Arrests in Two Shooting Incidents on October 29

Rockford Police officers responded to two separate violent incidents on Tuesday (10/29), leading to the arrests of three Rockford residents and the recovery of loaded firearms.

Both incidents involved shots fired and required immediate action by the Rockford Police Department’s Specialized Community Oriented Police Enforcement (SCOPE) unit.

First Incident: Fight and Gunfire on Shelly Drive

According to a press release from Rockford PD, SCOPE officers were dispatched to the 2200 block of Shelly Drive in the Auburn Manor neighborhood around 6:35 pm after receiving reports of a physical altercation, shots fired, and a vehicle leaving the area.

A short time later, officers located the suspect vehicle on Oakley Avenue with five occupants inside. During the investigation, officers found a loaded handgun in the vehicle.

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One of the occupants, identified as Ashley Surrah, 27, was taken into custody and transported to the Winnebago County Jail.

Following a review, the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office authorized several charges, including Reckless Discharge of a Firearm, Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Resisting Arrest, Aggravated Assault, and two counts of Endangering the Life of a Child.

Second Incident: Shots Fired at Residence on Montague Street

Later on Tuesday evening, at approximately 10:55 p.m., Rockford Police responded to a residence in the 400 block of Montague Street for reports of shots fired.

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Upon arrival, officers observed that a residence and several vehicles had been struck by gunfire. Witnesses reported shots being fired from a vehicle, which fled the scene and later crashed into a pole near Montague and Sanford Streets.

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The two occupants in that vehicle fled on foot and were pursued by Rockford Police and a K-9 unit that located one suspect identified as Rashaad Dexter, 46, who was taken into custody on outstanding warrants.

The driver, Lee Thompson, 44, was later located and transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.

The State’s Attorney’s Office subsequently filed charges against Thompson for Aggravated Discharge of a Weapon, Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, No Valid FOID, and Aggravated Fleeing to Elude.

Contact Rockford Police with Information

The Rockford Police Department encourages anyone with information regarding these incidents to contact them at 815-966-2900 or reach out on social media via Facebook (@RockfordIllinoisPoliceDepartment) or Twitter (@RockfordPD).

Anonymous tips can also be sent by texting RPDTIP and the tip to 847411 or by using the Rockford PD App, available in the App Store and Google Play Store.

Additionally, tips may be reported anonymously to Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.

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