ROCKFORD, Ill. — Three people were killed and three more were injured Saturday after a shooting at an Illinois bowling facility, authorities said.
Update 11:50 a.m. ET Dec. 27: A 37-year-old active military member was arrested for murder after three people were fatally shot at an Illinois bowling alley.
Investigators said Webb tried to obscure his identification and weapon when officers arrived. He was taken into custody without incident. He is being held without bond at the Winnebago County Jail, the Rockford Register Star reported. His first court appearance is scheduled for Monday.
Duke Webb, of Florida, an active duty member of the U.S. Army, was arrested and charged with three counts of first degree murder and three counts of attempted murder, WIFR reported.
There were six victims; three men ages 73, 69 and 65 were fatally shot. A 62-year-old man who was shot multiple times is in critical condition at a hospital. A 14-year-old boy was shot in the face and airlifted to a hospital. A 16-year-old girl who was shot in the shoulder was taken to a hospital where she was treated and released.
“We believe this was a completely random act, and there is no prior meeting or any kind of relationship between the suspect and any of the victims in this case,” Rockford police chief Dan O’Shea said.
Original report: One “person of interest” was in custody after the shooting at Don Carter Lanes in Rockford at about 6:55 p.m. CT, WTVO reported.
Rockford police Chief Dan O’Shea told reporters that the shooting occurred inside and outside of the building. The area was no longer considered an active shooter situation, WREX reported.
“When officers arrived on (the) scene, the shooter was still in the building,” O’Shea told reporters. “No officers fired their weapons that we know of at this point, but the individual that we believe is responsible, and the only individual we believe at this point to be involved, we may have in custody.”
O’Shea added that teenagers were among the victims but declined to give further details, WTVO reported.
The conditions of the three people injured have not been confirmed, WREX reported. Police did not say if the victims were patrons or workers of the business, the television station reported.
“I’m angered and saddened by the violence tonight at Don Carter Lanes,” Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara said in a statement. “My thoughts are with the families of those who lost loved ones. I’m also thinking of those who were injured and my hopes are with them for a quick and full recovery. I appreciate all of our first responders who quickly and heroically arrived to secure the scene. Our investigators have much work ahead of them to determine exactly what happened and who was responsible. Please give the police the space they need to investigate this event and keep all in your prayers.”