ROCK FALLS, Ill. — A man wanted in connection to a Rock Falls shooting is in custody following a 10-hour-long standoff, the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office said.
According to a news release from Sheriff John Booker, deputies were acting on an anonymous tip when they located 40-year-old Johnathon P. Parker walking eastbound on Lincolnway in rural Sterling around 12:45 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1.
Officials said that deputies chased Parker into some woods before he entered the Rock River and swam across it. A drone, boats and police K9s were used to track Parker, but a four-hour-long search failed to locate him.
Around 8:35 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, officials were tipped off that Parker was hiding in a trailer at 1600 Riverdale Road, Rock Falls. A perimeter was established around the trailer and a search warrant was obtained before Illinois State Police Swat arrived.
As officials attempted to negotiate with Parker, he eventually exited the trailer and was taken into custody without incident. The stand-off lasted for around 10 hours, according to authorities.
Parker is being held without bond in the Whiteside County Jail on a warrant for aggravated battery with a firearm.
Original Story
40-year-old Johnathon Parker was wanted for aggravated battery with a firearm following an early morning shooting on Monday, Oct. 28.
The shooting happened around 2:15 a.m. in the 900 block of West 5th Street. According to police, responding officers found a man with a gunshot wound inside a residence. A preliminary investigation determined he was shot outside and that the alleged shooter, who has now been identified as Parker, fled on foot.
Police said the victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a non-life-threatening injury.