On January 15, 2023, Vasshawn Reeves, a 29-year-old Black man from Rockford, Illinois, was shot and killed inside an apartment in the 2300 block of 23rd Street. The shooting happened shortly before 5 p.m. after an argument among several people inside the residence led to an exchange of gunfire. Autopsy results confirmed Reeves died from gunshot wounds.

Two teenagers were also killed: Zayveon Johnson, 18, of Rockford, and a 17-year-old boy from Dallas, Texas; both were transported by ambulance to a local hospital and later died of their injuries. Two other people were wounded and survived — one fled the apartment and was found injured nearly two miles away in the 4200 block of Middlebury Avenue, and another drove themself to a Rockford hospital. Both survivors were listed in serious condition the night of the shooting.

A 19-year-old Rockford man, Jaylon Jackson, was taken into custody on the day of the shooting after being treated for gunshot wounds and was charged with first-degree murder. Police said they were still seeking other individuals who had been present in the apartment and asked anyone with information to come forward. Does anyone have information about who else was at the scene or saw what happened that afternoon?