Unattended gun leads to another shooting

On Dec. 4, at approximately 8:20 a.m., Rockford Police officers responded to the 700 block of Belmont Boulevard for reports of a shooting victim. Upon arrival, officers were advised that a 6-year-old boy obtained an unattended gun from inside the residence, discharged the weapon, and struck a 28-year-old female who was nearby.

She was transported to a local hospital and is listed in stable condition.

After a review of the facts of the case, The Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office authorized the charges listed below.

Khadijah Morris, 28, Rockford Endangering the Life/Health of a Child

• No Valid FOID

Ashley Laures, 29, Rockford

• Endangering the Life/Health of a Child

This is the second incident in the last two weeks where a 6-year-old child was able to locate an unattended gun. Last Nov. 29, 26-year-old Ellioth Lopez, was charged with the felony offense of Endangering the Life/Health of a Child relating to an incident which occurred on Nov. 20, 2022. According to a press release from the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office, “An investigation revealed that the defendant left a loaded .45 caliber pistol unattended in his living room when he went to bed.

The following morning, the defendant’s 6-year-old son was unsupervised when he located that loaded handgun. The evidence shows that the firearm discharged and struck the 6-year-old while he was handling it – which resulted in the child’s death.”

“Being a responsible gun owner is a vital step when it comes to owning a gun, especially when there are children in the home,” says Rockford Chief of Police, Carla Redd.

“If someone is in your home and around your children, being informed about any weapons they may bring around them is paramount as well. Seeing another incident caused by an unattended gun, in such a short time after a death of a child, is very disheartening.”

The Rockford Police Department has partnered with Project Child Safe, which is an organization that partners with law enforcement agencies across the country to promote the safe storage of firearms in the home.

The program promotes firearm safety by distributing gun locks and educational materials to gun owners. The overall goal is for firearm owners to be safe and responsible, help prevent accidents, and to help keep firearms out of the wrong hands.

The kits will be available, free of charge, at each District’s front desks, while supplies last. Our District addresses are below.

District 1: 1045 W. State Street (Monday through Friday,  8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

District 2: 1410 Broadway (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

District 3: 557 S. New Towne Drive (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

All charges listed above are merely accusations. Individuals are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

If you have any information regarding these incidents or others, please contact the Rockford Police Department at 815-966-2900, on Facebook (@RockfordIllinoisPoliceDepartment) or on Twitter (@RockfordPD).

To submit an anonymous tip, text the word RPDTIP and your tip to 847411 or get the Rockford PD App in the App Store or Google Play Store. You can also leave an anonymous tip with Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.