Florida military accused of shooting in Illinois

Rockford, Illinois – A U.S. military man has been charged with causing a shooting on an Illinois bowling alley that left three dead and three injured, authorities said Sunday.

Duke Webb, a 37-year-old Florida military man, was charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder in the shooting at Don Carter Lanes Bowling Alley in Rockford, 130 miles (80) miles) northwest of Chicago.

While bowling is not allowed due to state-imposed coronavirus restrictions, he was operating a business-related bar.

Webb was arrested shortly after opening fire around 7 p.m., Rockford police chief Dan O’Shea said at a news conference Sunday morning.

“I assure you that the action of the officers at the venue prevented further violence,” O’Shea added.

He said the three who died were all men, aged 73, 65 and 69, but did not provide names.

He added that a 14-year-old man received a shot in the face and was flown to the hospital in Madison in stable condition. He added that a 16-year-old girl who was shot in the shoulder was treated in a hospital and discharged. A 62-year-old man was operated on overnight after suffering multiple gunshot wounds and is in critical condition, the police chief said.

According to the Rockford Register Star newspaper, 2020 was the year with the highest number of homicides in the city. 35 people were killed this year, a number that surpassed the previous mark of 31 in 1996.