Illinois Man Arrested Minutes Into 2023 for Firing Shots in Air from Street

When the clock hits midnight and a new year has arrived, it's a time to celebrate with cheap noisemakers, kazoos, and party favors.

But for some people, that's just not quite the firepower they're looking for when bringing the BOOM on January 1.

Convicted felon arrested for firing a gun in the street to celebrate New Year.

According to the Rockford Police Department, a local man has been arrested for apparently celebrating with his gun in the southwestern part of the city on New Year.

When RPD officers arrived on the scene in the 300 block of Ogilby Road around 12:40 am Sunday (1/1) they observed 52-year-old Michael Jones of Rockford "shooting celebratory gunfire into the air whilst standing in the middle of the street."

Jones was taken into custody without incident, according to the press release, and was charged with the following:

• Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon
• Reckless Discharge of a Weapon

Dozens of "shots fired" reports were called into the Rockford Police Department just after midnight on January 1, 2023, according to an unconfirmed post from Rockford Scanner.

Rockford Teen Suffers Gunshot Wound in New Years' Day Shooting

Rockford Police are investigating a shooting that happened on Sunday afternoon (January 1) in the 200 block of Cameron Avenue.

According to the press release from RPD, officers responded to a report of shots fired, and upon arriving on the scene discovered a 15-year-old male who was walking near his home when the boy "heard gunshots and ran."

Rockford Police say the teen was "struck in the ankle and transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries."

To submit an anonymous tip, text the word RPDTIP and your tip to 847411 or get the Rockford PD App in the App Store or Google Play Store. You can also leave an anonymous tip with Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.