Crime
21-Year-Old man killed in officer-involved shooting in Rock Island
The man, identified as being unarmed, was shot multiple times, including in the head and torso.
Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson has confirmed the death of a 21-year-old man following an officer-involved shooting on Saturday afternoon.
On Monday, the Rock Island County Coroner identified the victim as 21-year-old Jakarta Jackson. Preliminary autopsy results indicate that Jackson died from multiple gunshot wounds.
According to the Rock Island Police Department, the incident unfolded at approximately 3:20 p.m. in the area of 12th Street and 24th Avenue:
- An officer attempted to detain a “suspicious individual.”
- The man reportedly fled on foot when approached.
- Police say the man then entered the driver’s seat of a running car in an attempt to escape.
- As the officer tried to remove him from the vehicle, the man allegedly drove the car forward, which police claim dragged the officer.
- The officer fired at the man, striking him multiple times.
Both the man and the officer were transported to a local hospital:
- The man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
- The officer was treated for injuries and later released.
Rock Island Police Chief Tim McCloud immediately requested the Rock Island County Integrity Task Force to investigate the use of deadly force. This task force comprises local and state law enforcement agencies to ensure impartial investigations of officer-involved incidents.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, pending the investigation. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, according to Coroner Gustafson.
Several witnesses at the scene have expressed skepticism about the police account of the events.
Unverified claims allege:
- The officer was not visibly injured or dragged.
- The man, identified as being unarmed, was shot multiple times, including in the head and torso.
- Children, reportedly the man’s son and nephew, were in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Witnesses also dispute the timeline provided by authorities, asserting that the man died at the scene and was not transported to the hospital alive.
The incident has sparked significant outrage within the community, with calls for transparency and accountability. Witnesses and community members have accused law enforcement of attempting to cover up the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The Rock Island County Integrity Task Force has taken over the investigation. They are expected to examine all evidence, including body camera footage and witness statements, to determine the facts of the case.
Anyone with information or video footage is urged to contact the task force directly. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.