Vigil held for Rockford bowling alley shooting victims; 6 shot, 3 killed in apparent random attack at Don Carter Lanes

The suspect is a Florida Special Forces Assistant Operations and Intelligence Sergeant, Army confirms

ByCate Cauguiran and Alexis McAdams, Jesse Kirsch WLS logo
Sunday, January 3, 2021
Vigil held for Rockford bowling alley shooting victims; 6 shot, 3 killed in apparent random attack at Don Carter Lanes
Hundreds gathered outside a Rockford bowling alley Saturday night to remember the victims of a deadly shooting Christmas weekend.

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WLS) -- Hundreds gathered outside a Rockford bowling alley Saturday night to remember the victims of a deadly shooting Christmas weekend.

Three people were killed and three others were hurt in what appears to be a random shooting at Don Carter Lanes.

At Saturday's vigil, the general manager of the bowling alley praised the staff working at the time of the shooting.

Duke Webb, a U.S. serviceman from Florida has been charged in a shooting.

Police said they believe Webb was the only one responsible for Saturday's shooting at Don Carter Lanes.

Webb was taken into custody shortly after the shooting.

WATCH: Rockford Police Chief Dan O'Shea gives latest on shooting

Rockford police provide update on bowling alley shooting that left 3 dead, 3 others injured.

The bowling alley itself was closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, however, there is an upstairs bar that was open with 20- 25 people when Webb opened fire, according to officials. The chief said the upstairs venue has double doors that open to the outside, ensuring the bar is in compliance with Illinois' COVID-19 mitigation guidance.

RELATED: Family of suspect in deadly Rockford Don Carter Lanes shooting expresses condolences

"People were able to get out of the building and some were able to hide while the shooting was going on," Rockford Police Chief Dan O'Shea said following the shooting. "The suspect was discharging his weapon both inside and outside of the building."

Witnesses who were inside at the time of the shooting tell ABC7 Webb fired off several rounds as people jumped off the bar's balcony to try and get to safety.

Those fatally shot were identified as Thomas Furseth, 65; Dennis Steinhoff, 73; and Jerome Woodfork, 69. The injured included Tyrone Lewis, 62, as well as a 16-year-old girl, and a 14-year-old boy.

Three people were killed and three others injured in an apparently random shooting at a Rockford bowling alley Saturday night.

Fundraising programs have been established to assist those injured and the families of those killed, the Rockford Register Star reported. A GoFundMe account has been set up and representatives of Rockford's Miracle Mile business district have also announced fundraising efforts.

Webb, 37, faces three counts of murder for each person killed and three counts of first-degree attempted murder for each person injured. He is currently being held without bond and is set to be arraigned on Feb. 16.

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