A.O. : South Beloit Detective Cleared in Teen Shooting Incident

Details of the Incident

In a recent incident near the Illinois/Wisconsin state line, a South Beloit police detective, Paul Reed, was involved in a traffic stop that escalated into a shooting involving a teenage girl. The incident took place on the morning of March 16 on IL 251 just north of Prairie Hill Road.

Justified Actions

The Winnebago County State’s Attorney has stated that Detective Reed’s actions were deemed justified after a thorough review by the Winnebago Boone Integrity Task Force. The investigation concluded that Reed’s actions were necessary to protect himself during the encounter.

Sequence of Events

Detective Reed was patrolling Gardner Street near South Park Avenue when he spotted a red Saturn Outlook. He identified the driver as a teenage girl, A.O., and believed the front seat passenger to be wanted suspect Ray Castro, 19. Reed initiated a traffic stop for a speeding violation and called for backup.

Struggle and Shooting

During the stop, the driver, A.O., provided her license while the passenger, later identified as Castro, gave a false name. When police attempted to arrest Castro on multiple outstanding warrants, a struggle ensued. Reed found himself pinned underneath Castro and partially inside the vehicle when A.O. accelerated. In an attempt to free himself, Reed fired his gun, hitting A.O. in the right leg.

Aftermath and Pursuit

The SUV crossed lanes on IL 251, including the median, and ended up in a ditch. A.O. was treated and released from a nearby hospital. Castro managed to flee the scene and carjacked an elderly employee at Macktown Lounge on Dearborn Avenue before fleeing into Beloit.

Officer-Involved Shooting

As authorities attempted to stop the stolen vehicle, Castro rammed into the driver-side door of a Roscoe police squad. Sergeant Robert Lewis of the Roscoe Police Department responded by shooting Castro, who was then transported to a hospital and later pronounced dead.

Investigation and Status

The Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, is currently handling the investigation into the shooting involving Sergeant Lewis. The department has not yet released a decision on the matter, and Sergeant Lewis remains on administrative leave pending the investigation.

Conclusion

Overall, the incident involving the South Beloit police detective, the teenage girl, and the wanted suspect has sparked a thorough investigation by authorities on both sides of the state line. The details of the event continue to unfold as investigators work to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the shooting.