Shotgun incident sparks major police response in Rockford neighborhood still reeling from stabbing | MyStateline

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – Rockford police said a person with a pellet gun was mistaken for an armed assailant, prompting a large police response Thursday night. The incident occurred in a neighborhood that saw a series of horrific stabbings in March.

At around 9:35 p.m., police said they searched the area around the 4600 block of Longmeadow Lane because an “armed offender” had been reported.

Police later said an air rifle was involved in the incident and that there was no danger to the public. No arrests were announced.

On March 27, a man armed with a knife killed four people and injured seven others in a murderous rampage through the same neighborhood, west of S. Alpine Road and north of Harrison Avenue.

The victims included 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb, 49-year-old mailman Jay Larson, 63-year-old Ramona Schupbach and her son, 23-year-old Jacob Schupbach.

The suspect was later identified as 22-year-old Christian Soto.

Earlier this week, Rockford Police announced the arrests of a man and four teenagers who allegedly terrorized residents with gel guns.

Regarding the first incident, police said: “The Rockford Police Department takes these incidents seriously and will not hesitate to arrest and charge anyone who unlawfully uses a gel pellet gun against a person or property.”