Crime
Police Chase Ends in Gunfire and Multiple Officer Injuries in Savanna
SAVANNA, Ill. — A multi-agency police pursuit involving a stolen vehicle ended in a gunfire exchange early Thursday morning in Savanna, resulting in injuries to several law enforcement officers and the suspect.
According to a statement released by law enforcement, the incident began around 10:00 p.m. Wednesday, when Freeport Police responded to reports of a stolen vehicle.
Officers located the vehicle, but the driver fled the scene and struck a police squad car during the initial encounter. Officers briefly pursued the vehicle before losing sight of it and terminating the chase.
Later that night, a Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted the stolen vehicle near Hanover, Illinois. Another short pursuit was initiated but was also called off.
At approximately 3:40 a.m. Thursday, the suspect was located again in the Savanna area. During this renewed pursuit, authorities say the suspect rammed another police squad car, escalating the situation.
The first “shots fired” call came in at 3:45 a.m., followed by a second at 3:48 a.m.
Moments later, the suspect crashed the vehicle at the intersection of Chicago and Park Streets, striking a Mount Carroll Police Department squad car.
At 3:49 a.m., officers made physical contact with the suspect, during which additional shots were exchanged.
Multiple officers from the Savanna Police Department, Mount Carroll Police Department, and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The suspect was also injured during the incident and was airlifted to a regional hospital, where he is currently listed in stable condition.
The Illinois State Police has taken over the investigation, which remains ongoing.
By 6:00 a.m., local news crews observed a large police presence near South Gilbert Street and Chicago Avenue, where officers continued to secure and process the scene.
Further updates are expected as investigators work to determine the sequence of events and whether additional charges will be filed.
Crime
Victims Identified in Deadly Robeson County Mass Shooting
Two Dead, 13 Injured in Mass Shooting at Large Party in Robeson County, North Carolina
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A late-night party in eastern North Carolina turned deadly early Saturday morning when gunfire erupted, leaving two people dead and 13 others injured, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins confirmed that deputies were called to the scene on Dixon Drive, just outside the town of Maxton, at approximately 3:00 a.m. following reports of a shooting at a large outdoor gathering attended by more than 150 people.
When deputies arrived, chaos had already unfolded — witnesses said over 150 individuals fled the area before law enforcement could secure the scene.
Authorities identified the deceased victims as Jessie Locklear and his son Nehemiah Locklear.
Several other victims sustained critical injuries and were transported to area hospitals for emergency treatment.
Sheriff Wilkins stated that, based on preliminary findings, the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple agencies, continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence.
Detectives are working to determine the motive and identify all parties involved.
Authorities are urging anyone with information—or anyone who attended the gathering and witnessed the incident—to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Investigators at 910-671-3100.
“We know there were many people present when this occurred,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “If you saw something or know something, we need you to come forward to help bring justice to the victims and their families.”