'Targeted shooting' reported at residence, Kewanee police say

Another incident involving shots fired into a Kewanee residence occurred early in the morning of Thursday, Jan. 19.

In a news release, Kewanee Police Chief Nicholas Welgat said that at approximately 5:14 am, officers were dispatched to the area of Willow Street and South Grace Avenue for a report of shots being fired.

Officers did not locate any suspects in the area upon arrival, the chief said.

Preliminary investigation confirmed that multiple gunshots were fired at a residence in the 100 block of South Grace Avenue. Patrol officers, crime scene technicians, and detectives then began a thorough investigation at the location.

Crime scene technicians determined that at least 13 shots were fired at the residence.

There were two people inside the residence during the shooting. Neither was struck by any bullets, he added. The spent shell casings, fired rounds, and other items were photographed and collected as evidence.

Officers conducted a canvass of the area to identify potential witnesses and surveillance footage during the time of the incident. Witnesses did report seeing a suspect in a hooded sweatshirt fleeing from the scene on foot, Welgat said.

“The Kewanee Police Department believes this to be a targeted shooting and do not believe there to be any immediate danger to citizens,” Welgat wrote in the news release.

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The release said detectives “are actively investigating the incident to try and identify the suspects.”

Residents around the area are encouraged to review their home surveillance footage to see if any suspects related to the shooting were captured on video, according to the chief. Anyone that has information in regards to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Kewanee Police Department at (309) 853-1911.

In a similar incident late last year, 14 shots were fired at a house on Park Avenue, and another bullet entered a nearby home on South Park St. A Kewanee man was arrested in connection with that shooting.

This article originally appeared on Star Courier: Kewanee police investigating 'targeted shooting'