Winnebago County detectives have identified a suspect in the shooting of a Sheriff's deputy. They're looking for 27-year-old Jordan D. Spates of Rockford.
He's wanted for aggravated battery to a police officer with a firearm, which is a class X felony. He has not been apprehended as of mid-day Sunday, and police say he should be considered armed and dangerous.
The deputy was shot at least three times after 1 a.m. Saturday, according to Sheriff Gary Caruana. The incident occurred after the deputy recognized a car which had eluded police twice earlier and stopped it.
The driver began running from the vehicle then turned and fired at the deputy.
During the investigation, detectives say they found drugs in the vehicle involved in the chase, which led them to a home on South Court Street in Rockford. There, police arrested Jarrion J. Moore, 21, and charged him with resisting arrest, possession with intent to deliver cocaine, and probation violations.
A massive manhunt was conducted at Klehm Arboretum, a large wooded area near the site of the shooting. Klehm was closed for much of the day but reopened Saturday afternoon.
Officers from several departments took part in the search.
The deputy was shot in the shoulder and back. Caruana said he underwent surgery, and his wounds are not believed to be life-threatening. Mystateline.com reports that the deputy was in stable condition.
The Sheriff's Department asks that anyone with information about the shooting of the deputy to call (815) 319-6300.
- This report includes information from The Associated Press.