Gregory Xavier Ashford Sr., 32, was killed in a December 26, 2024 shooting in the 1200 block of Oak Street in Beloit. Police were dispatched shortly before 7:45 p.m. after reports of gunfire and two people shot. Officers found Ashford and a woman with injuries; the woman survived with non-life-threatening wounds, while Ashford died that night at Beloit Memorial Hospital.

Authorities described the shooting as targeted and said investigators had useful leads but initially withheld details to protect investigative methods. Ashford was born in Chicago on January 27, 1992, grew up in Beloit, played basketball at Beloit Memorial High School, married Karissa Lynn Johnson in June 2021, and was the father of several children. His funeral was January 10, 2025, at New Life Ministries, with burial at Eastlawn Cemetery.

Anyone with information about what happened is asked to contact the Greater Beloit Area Crime Stoppers.