On Tuesday, September 3rd, at approximately 2:55, a 911 call was received reporting a shooting. A 17-year-old male was discovered with a gunshot wound to his leg at a home on 3rd Avenue, claiming the incident occurred elsewhere in Rock Falls. As police arrived, a suspect fleeing in a reportedly stolen vehicle led officers on a chase, eventually escaping on foot after crashing into a fence at Sterling High School.
Despite an extensive search including a K9 unit, the suspect remains at large. Further investigations confirmed the victim accidentally shot himself with a stolen firearm, which was later found on a nearby street. Authorities assure the public there is no ongoing threat.
At approximately 6:48am, Sterling Police Department received information of a gun in the roadway near 5th Avenue and East 14th Street. This gun was recovered and found to have been stolen from Clinton, Iowa. Investigations are ongoing as police work to trace the origins of how the gun ended up abandoned on the street and the circumstances surrounding its theft.
Contrary to social media posts, there were no shooting incidents that occurred on Sterling Public School property or involving Sterling Police Officers. Sterling Police and Sterling Public Schools Administration have been in communication regarding the incidents from the onset.
This investigation of these incidents is continuing to be investigated. Updates will follow as information is released.
