Rockford, IL – A 17-year-old suspect has been arrested following a shooting tied to a Facebook Marketplace transaction that left a victim injured earlier this month in Rockford.
According to the Rockford Police Department, the incident occurred Saturday, April 11, around 12:15 p.m. at a Burger King located on Auburn Street in Rockford, Winnebago County. Officers initially responded to reports of a shooting, though the victim had already left the scene and later arrived at a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators say the victim had arranged to purchase a PlayStation 5 through Facebook Marketplace and agreed to meet the seller at the restaurant. During the exchange, the suspect allegedly took the victim’s money but refused to hand over the gaming console. Police say the situation escalated into a confrontation, during which the suspect allegedly shot the victim before fleeing with both the money and the PS5.
Detectives later identified the suspect as a 17-year-old male. On Tuesday, April 22, officers located him in the 2011 block of Yonge Street and took him into custody. Authorities say a handgun was recovered at the time of arrest, and additional evidence was later found during a search warrant at a residence on Pauline Avenue.
The juvenile now faces multiple charges, including armed robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Police are reminding residents to use designated safe exchange zones, such as police station lobbies, when conducting online transactions.
