3 people killed, 3 injured in random shooting at Illinois bowling alley: Police

The shooting took place in Rockford, Illinois, northwest of Chicago.

December 26, 2020, 11:39 PM

Three people are dead and at least three others injured after a person opened fire at random in a bowling alley in Rockford, Illinois, on Saturday evening.

The shooting took place at Don Carter Lanes just before 7 p.m. local time, according to the Rockford Police Department.

A suspect, described by police as a 37-year-old white man, was taken into custody.

"When officers arrived on scene, the shooter was still in the building," Rockford Police Chief Dan O'Shea said at a briefing. "No officers fired their weapons 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. But it's still to be determined."

Speaking on the shooting, O'Shea said police "believe it's random."

PHOTO: Three people were killed in what police believe was a random shooting at Don Carter Lanes, a bowling alley in Rockford, Ill., on Dec. 26, 2020.
Three people were killed in what police believe was a random shooting at Don Carter Lanes, a bowling alley in Rockford, Ill., on Dec. 26, 2020.
NewsNation

The state attorney's office has been notified and the investigation is ongoing.

At least two teenagers were among those shot, O'Shea said, but he couldn't provide further details on the people who were injured or killed.

"We're working with the business owners, they are on scene providing all cooperation they can to help us," O'Shea said.

Police said some people were shot outside the building and some inside.

PHOTO: Three people were killed in what police believe was a random shooting at Don Carter Lanes, a bowling alley in Rockford, Ill., on Dec. 26, 2020.
Three people were killed in what police believe was a random shooting at Don Carter Lanes, a bowling alley in Rockford, Ill., on Dec. 26, 2020.
NewsNation

Rockford, one of the largest cities in Illinois, is located about 90 minutes outside Chicago and two hours southwest of Milwaukee.