While no new information will be released Easter weekend on the officer-involved shooting that happened on Thursday, April 2nd, one community member said on Saturday, he's interested to see the results of the investigation.
Wendell Horne said the suspect shot was the father of his niece's child.
"He liked to have fun," said Horne. "He was always respectful towards me and our family. We had no problem with him."
Rock Island Police Chief Jeff VenHuizen says officers received reports of shots fired near the area of 12th Street and 10th Avenue shortly before 11 p.m. When officers arrived on scene, they found an armed male suspect, and a foot chase began.
Police say a confrontation broke out later, and the officer fired his weapon. Police say the suspect, 32-year-old Darrin Antwan Langford, was hit and then transported to Unity Point Health Trinity, where he later died.
The Rock Island County Integrity Task Force, which took over the investigation, released the raw police radio traffic from the beginning of the call before the shooting took place.
In the recording, the officer is heard calling out “shots fired at 12 and 10,” according to a statement from the task force. That call is then repeated by police radio telecommunicators at RICOMM. The officer then says “He has a gun, he has a gun,” according to the statement.
According to the task force’s statement, a handgun other than the officer’s was found at the scene.
However, Horne said he was with Langford that night and was surprised to hear about the shooting later on. Horne said Langford appeared to be intoxicated, but he didn't appear to be threatening or even to be carrying a weapon.
Horne said people in his neighborhood don't easily trust law enforcement, and he cautions everyone not to jump to any conclusions until after the investigation is finished.
"If [the officer] followed protocol, I will support him 150 percent and more, and I will make sure I encourage my family and the community to do as such," Horne said.
If you have any information about the incident that could help the Integrity Task Force’s investigation, you are asked to call 309-752-4915. You can also make an anonymous tip to the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 309-762-9500.