ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — UPDATE (Jan. 24): Detectives and the Rock Island Police Department identified Shauntez D. Thomas, 22, as the third and final suspect in the armed robbery at Blackhawk Tobacco & Vape in Rock Island.
Thomas was taken into custody by Davenport police on Sunday, Jan. 23 for violating his parole which did not allow him within the city, according to a press release from Rock Island PD.
Rock Island Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division issued an arrest warrant for Thomas on Monday, Jan. 24 for charges of armed robbery, a class X felony.
The 22-year-old is being held on a $500k bond at Scott County Jail, pending extradition.
UPDATE (Jan. 21): The Rock Island Police Department on Friday, Jan. 21 identified the two injured suspects in the Tuesday night robbery at Blackhawk Tobacco & Vape in Rock Island.
The first suspect, 23-year-old Marcase Humphries of Rock Island, was wounded by gunfire and transported to a local hospital, where he later died.
The second suspect, 23-year-old Ernest Morgan III of Rock Island, was wounded by gunfire and transported to a local hospital. According to police, he is expected to survive, was charged with armed robbery and had a bond set at $500,000.
The third suspect remained at large as of Friday. Police said the suspect is male, possibly light-skinned African American or Hispanic, approximately 6 foot tall, 200 pounds and 20-30 years old.
Anyone with information regarding the incident or that can identify the third suspect should call Rock Island police at 309-732-2677 or Crime Stoppers at 309-762-9500. You can also share information via the P3 Tips app.
UPDATE (Jan. 20): Rock Island State Attorney Dora Villarreal on Wednesday revealed findings from the investigation into the Blackhawk Tobacco & Vape employee's use of deadly force on two of three suspected robbers.
According to the statement, surveillance video and witness interviews revealed the use of force was justified as self-defense and for the defense of others inside the store during the robbery. The employee's actions resulted in non-life threatening injuries for one and the death of another.
The employee, according to the release, was able to access the weapon kept by the storeowner for protection. The owner had kept the gun at the business because it had been robbed twice in recent months.
The State's Attorney Office will not be filling any charges against the employees but is preparing to file aggravated robbery counts against the two surviving suspects.
The Rock Island Police Department, as of Wednesday night, were continuing to investigate the incident.
ORIGINAL (Jan. 19): Two suspects were shot and one later died due to injuries following an armed robbery Tuesday night at Blackhawk Tobacco & Vape in Rock Island.
Late Tuesday, three masked suspects - one armed with a gun - entered the smoke shop located at 2733 18th Avenue in Rock Island, where they threatened employees on duty and demanded merchandise.
According to the Rock Island Police Department, one of the employees drew a handgun and fired shots at the suspects. The gunshots hit at least two of the suspects and caused all three to flee the store.
Shortly after the 911 call, another caller reported someone with a gunshot wound on the 1700 block of Lincoln Court. The person was taken by a private vehicle to medical care but later died due to the injuries, according to police.
Police found a second wounded suspect on the 2100 block of 16th Avenue. He or she was taken to the hospital for injuries, and police said the suspected was in a serious but stable condition as of Wednesday morning.
An investigation into the incident and the employee's use of deadly force against the armed robbery suspects was ongoing, and police were still searching for the third suspect as of Wednesday.
Anyone with information related to the robbery should call Rock Island police at 309-732-2677 or Crime Stoppers at 309-762-9500. You can also share information via the P3 Tips app.