Jehovah Witness shot, killed while sitting in his car in Rockford, Illinois, USA

[Parale]

From Rockford, Illinois, USA:

 

Jehovah Witness shot, killed while sitting in his car in Rockford

 

Rockford Register Star - Monday 13 February 2023

 

The Rockford Police Department is investigating the murder of a 54-year-old man that happened over the weekend.

 

Police said the man was shot and killed while sitting in his vehicle in the 1300 block of 7th Ave. on Saturday.

 

The man was waiting on family members who were knocking at a resident's door, according to police.

 

Officers were advised the victim and his family members are Jehovah's Witnesses and were reaching out to residents in the neighborhood.

 

https://rrstar.com/story/news/crime/2023/02/13/jehovah-witness-shot-killed-while-sitting-in-his-car-in-rockford/69899301007/

[Parale]

Rockford Police Department's Media Release:

 

"This is a very active investigation."

 

[Luisabola]

Oh no. Not on the ministry. 😥

[Dages]

Awful ! Jehovah please !

[Parale]

3 hours ago, Parale said:

"This is a very active investigation."

 

Update:

 

15-year-old boy wanted for murder of Jehovah Witness in Rockford

 

Rockford Register Star - Monday 13 February 2023

 

Police identified the suspect as a 15-year-old boy, whose name was not released by police. The boy is not in custody, according to police.

 

https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/crime/2023/02/13/jehovah-witness-shot-killed-while-sitting-in-his-car-in-rockford/69899301007/

[Parale]

Rockford Police Department's Media Release:

 

[Parale]

Update. A local TV news station is reporting that a suspect is now in police custody:

 

Rockford 15-year-old charged in 7th Avenue murder

 

WIFR Newsroom - Monday 13 February 2023

 

A 15-year-old boy is in police custody Monday after a 54-year-old man was shot and killed Saturday in Rockford.

 

The boy faces first-degree murder after a man was found dead inside of his car parked on the 1300 block of 7th Avenue in Rockford.

 

During an investigation, police determined the boy as a suspect.

 

https://www.wifr.com/2023/02/13/rockford-15-year-old-charged-7th-avenue-murder/

[Parale]

Brief report from this afternoon - Monday 13 February 2023 - on the local TV news station 23 WIFR.

 

https://www.wifr.com/

 

Edited February 13, 2023 by Parale

[Parale]

A slightly longer report, from local TV station 17 WTVO.

 

https://www.mystateline.com/

 

 

[Thomas Walker]

It could be months before we hear anything official about a motive. It could be anything from a hate crime to a random drive-by in a bad neighborhood.

 

Not to make light of this in any way, but come Paradise, he'll be one of those brothers who was able to say that he died 'on the job'. Not the worst legacy to have, just because it's senseless.

[JennyM]

sad news. 

 

[Parale]

14 hours ago, Parale said:

Update. A local TV news station is reporting that a suspect is now in police custody:

 

Rockford 15-year-old charged in 7th Avenue murder

 

WIFR Newsroom - Monday 13 February 2023

 

A 15-year-old boy is in police custody Monday after a 54-year-old man was shot and killed Saturday in Rockford.

 

The boy faces first-degree murder after a man was found dead inside of his car parked on the 1300 block of 7th Avenue in Rockford.

 

During an investigation, police determined the boy as a suspect.

 

https://www.wifr.com/2023/02/13/rockford-15-year-old-charged-7th-avenue-murder/

 

The first line in the above article has now been amended to state:

 

"Police are looking for a 15-year-old murder suspect who they believe shot a 54-year-old man Saturday in Rockford."

[Parale]

Please note I have absolutely no connection with, nor any idea about, the gofundme link in the article below.

 

Fundraiser formed for family of Jehovah’s Witness volunteer killed in Rockford shooting

 

MyStateLine / WTVO Channel 17 / WQRF Fox 39 - Thursday 16 February 2023

 

The family of Miguel Perez, who was gunned down in Rockford on Saturday while he waited in a parked car, has started a fundraiser to help cover expenses.

 

The GoFundMe has been started by Perez’ brother-in-law to help the family meet expenses.

 

“Miguel had been off work for almost a year due to a bad car accident. Because of this, he lost the life insurance he had through work. So this money will be used for the funeral expenses. Also because he was off work, there was some accrued debt that now needs to be paid off,” wrote Johnathan Trevino.

 

“The vehicle he was in when shot was currently our only vehicle. It is being used in the murder investigation, with no word to how long it will take to get it back. Even if and when we do get it back, we do not want to drive in it and may not get the value from it due to this incident,” Trevino wrote.

 

A 15-year-old boy has been identified as the suspect, but his identity has been withheld by law enforcement due to his age. He is still at large and is being sought by police.

 

https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/fundraiser-formed-for-family-of-jehovahs-witness-volunteer-killed-in-rockford-shooting/

[Parale]

Update:

 

Police still looking for teen wanted in death of Rockford Jehovah's Witness

 

Rockford Register Star - Monday 20 February 2023

 

A 15-year-old boy wanted in connection to the Feb. 11 fatal shooting of a Jehovah's Witness is still at large.

 

Because the suspect is a juvenile, his identity has not been made public and it is unknown how much the public has been able to assist.

 

Police Chief Carla Redd would only say, "We are following up on a few things."

 

The Rockford Spanish Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses issued the following statement: "Along with the family, the congregation is grieving the tragic loss of our brother and friend. We are providing support to the family during this difficult time. Our love and prayers are with his wife and daughters and all those who loved him."

 

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe account, has been created to help the family with expenses. The page was created by Jonathan Trevino, Perez's brother-in-law. Speaking on behalf of the family, Trevino said Perez had been off work for almost a year due to a car accident and that the life insurance that he had through his job was lost when he became unemployed. As of Monday, more than $57,000 has been raised.

 

https://rrstar.com/story/news/crime/2023/02/20/rockford-police-look-for-teen-in-shooting-death-of-jehovahs-witness/69915007007/

 

[Parale]

I understand the funeral of Miguel Perez took place last Saturday afternoon at the South Mulford Road Kingdom Hall in Rockford, IL.

 

Below is the Memorial Video.

 

 

[Parale]

Update:

 

Police: Rockford teen accused of murdering Jehovah's Witness in custody

 

Rockford Register Star - Wednesday 2 February 2023

 

The 15-year-old boy who is accused of shooting and killing a Jehovah's Witness in Rockford is now in custody, police said.

 

According to Rockford police, the boy was taken into custody Tuesday night in the 1500 block of Broadway.

 

The boy, whose name has not been released, is accused of fatally shooting Miguel Perez, 54, Feb. 11.

 

The shooting happened in the 1300 block of Seventh Avenue. Police said Perez, a Jehovah's Witness, was sitting inside of his vehicle waiting on family members, also Jehovah's Witnesses, who were walking door-to-door talking to residents.

 

https://rrstar.com/story/news/crime/2023/02/22/teen-accused-of-murdering-jehovahs-witness-miguel-perez-arrested/69932219007/

[Sheep]

That took long enough to bring him in. I wouldn't be surprised if he was in hiding somewhere trying to escape the heat.

 

I wonder how his parents feel about what he did. Whatever it is, they may feel that they share a measure of guilt for neglecting to teach their son about the sanctity of life, something that all parents should be actively doing.

[Parale]

Update:

 

Prosecutor: Teen should be charged as adult in death of Rockford Jehovah's Witness

 

Rockford Register Star - Tuesday 28 February 2023

 

Winnebago County State's Attorney J. Hanley wants the 15-year-old boy police arrested last week for the shooting death of 54-year-old Miguel Perez tried as an adult.

 

Because of the juvenile's age, the transfer to adult court is not automatic, Hanley explained.

 

Instead, his office will have to petition the court for permission to try the boy as an adult for killing Perez while he sat in the family car on Feb. 11 in the 1300 block of Seventh Avenue in Rockford.

 

The family has issued the following statement:

 

"As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Miguel was an avid reader of the Bible. He loved what he learned in it and enthusiastically shared its hope with others as a volunteer Bible teacher. Weekends and weekday evenings were his favorite times to participate in the ministry, and it was while engaged in this very activity that he tragically lost his life.

 

"We would like to thank the police and law enforcement who have done an excellent job. Even though it won’t undo the damage that has already been done, we hope this will avoid another family having to go through the same pain we are feeling."

 

https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/crime/2023/02/28/prosecutor-wants-to-try-teen-as-adult-in-jehovahs-witness-murder-case/69952138007/