Marcello Brown was 23 when he was shot and killed on October 15, 2016, at the Clock Tower Resort and Conference Center in Rockford, Illinois. He was found lying in a hotel hallway and was pronounced dead at the scene; five other partygoers, aged 18 to 21, were injured in the same shooting. The Winnebago County Chief Deputy Coroner identified Marcello and an autopsy was planned for the following Monday.

Marcello’s family said he loved music, basketball, and video games. He had recently been released from parole and was working toward a GED after two earlier stints in the Winnebago County Jail. His mother Jacqueline Brown and father Michael Williams described the family’s devastation; Michael said he had spoken with Marcello just hours before the shooting. The family believes Marcello may have been ambushed after being repeatedly texted to attend the birthday party.

No arrests, suspects, or vehicle descriptions have been released, and investigators say witness reluctance has hampered the inquiry. Anyone who was at the Clock Tower Resort on October 15, 2016, or who has information about the shooting is asked to come forward.