Crime
Amber Alert: Rock Island Police Seek Public’s Help in Locating Missing 4-Year-Old Blessing Aoci
ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS – Authorities are urgently searching for a missing 4-year-old girl, Blessing Aoci, who was inside a vehicle that was stolen early Thursday morning.
At approximately 6:07 a.m., a vehicle was reported stolen from the 1300 block of 14½ Street.
The car was left running with Blessing, secured in a car seat in the back.
The stolen vehicle was recovered at approximately 6:24 a.m. in the area of 8th Street and 15th Avenue, but Blessing was not inside.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Rock Island Police Department (RIPD), Rock Island County Sheriff’s Department, and Moline Police Department, are dedicating all available resources to locate the child.
The search includes door-to-door canvassing, aerial surveillance using drones, and collaboration with surrounding agencies.
Blessing Aoci is a 4-year-old African American female, approximately 3 feet tall and weighing 50 pounds. She was last seen wearing a pink jacket, pink boots, and blue pants.
Authorities are urging the community to remain vigilant. If you see a child matching Blessing’s description or have any information about her whereabouts, immediately contact the Rock Island Police Department at (309) 732-2677 or dial 911.
This is an active investigation, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available. The safety and well-being of Blessing remain the top priority for all involved.
CHICAGO, IL – Authorities have identified the individual fatally shot in an Andersonville alley on Tuesday night as Tyshawn Johnson, a 17-year-old from Chicago’s South Side.
Initially reported as a 21-year-old man, Johnson’s identity was confirmed by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The tragic incident unfolded in the 5400 block of North Ashland Avenue at approximately 9:15 p.m. Chicago police discovered two victims following a vehicle crash into a garage in the alley.
Tyshawn Johnson was found inside the crashed vehicle with a gunshot wound to his head. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A 26-year-old man, also found at the location, sustained gunshot wounds to his shoulder and neck. Paramedics transported him in critical condition to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston.
The 26-year-old survivor informed officers that the shooting occurred while the vehicle was in the alley. However, no gunshots were reported in the immediate vicinity, leading officials to believe the shooting may have taken place elsewhere before the car ended up in the Andersonville alley.
Chicago Police Department’s Area 3 detectives are actively investigating the case. No arrests have been made as of now.
In a statement, 40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez addressed the situation, acknowledging the absence of gunfire reports in the neighborhood and expressing condolences to the victims’ families.
As the investigation continues, anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact authorities. This tragic event highlights the ongoing challenges of gun violence impacting communities across the city.