In a startling late-night incident in Rock Island, police responded to gunfire on January 18th in the area of 17th Street and 18th Avenue. City cameras identified two vehicles, a red Kia Sorento and a silver Hyundai Elantra, both stolen earlier, as being involved. The cameras captured the passenger of the silver sedan firing a handgun at the Kia Sorento. The north and west sides of H & S Convenience Store on 18th Avenue were struck by bullets. Both vehicles quickly fled the area and were seen coming back on the Centennial Bridge shortly after.
Rock Island Police pursued the vehicles but were unable to safely get close enough to affect a stop. The information was relayed to the Moline Police Department, who pursued both vehicles until they crashed at the Wyndham Hotel in Moline. Five juveniles, including drivers aged 14 and 16, were apprehended. Only the drivers face charges currently. The 14-year-old male juvenile, a 12-year-old female, and an 11-year-old female were taken into custody for questioning and released to their parents without charges.
It was later confirmed that both vehicles had been stolen out of Rock Island earlier in the night but had not yet been reported stolen. The steering columns had been forced open, and USB devices were used as keys.
Rock Island County Juvenile Court Services screened the juveniles for detention based on criteria set forth through state guidelines. The 14-year-old and 16-year-old male drivers were charged with Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle and Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding and released on GPS monitoring pending further Juvenile Court proceedings.
The shooting incident remains under investigation and no changes have been filed at this time.
From Chief Tim McCloud: “The reckless acts of these juveniles continue to put the lives of those in our communities at great risk. With the recent incident of a 4-year old being kidnapped in the back seat of a stolen car, and now vehicles fleeing from police with an 11-year old and a 12-year old in the back seat, it is clear that these juveniles are becoming bolder and will only continue to escalate their deadly behavior, unless our system of catch and release isn’t changed by our state legislators. On behalf of the concerned citizens of Rock Island and the entire Quad Cities, we ask that our courts, our legislature, and our community members band together to demand change.”
The incident remains under investigation by the Rock Island Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact the Rock Island Police Department at 309-732-2677, Crime Stoppers at 309-762-9500, or using the P3 Tips app.