Thomas James "Tom" Furseth, a 65-year-old white male, died a shocking and senseless death on December 26, 2020, in Rockford, Illinois. Born on July 8, 1955, in Rockford, Tom grew up on the Rock River as the second oldest of six children to James and Maxine Furseth. After graduating from Harlem High School, he moved to Machesney Park and began his career working for Chrysler in Belvidere. Tom proudly worked at Chrysler and as a member of UAW 1268, before retiring after 30 years.
He also received his associate's degree from Rock Valley College. Tom was generous and always willing to lend a helping hand. He enjoyed spending time at Don Carter Lanes OTB, never met a stranger, and loved to be around people. Tom was a diehard Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. He greatly enjoyed off-track betting, and his hobbies included coin collecting and working on his classic Firebird. Tom will be greatly missed by his beloved and spoiled dog Romeo, his siblings, nieces, nephews, and numerous great nieces and nephews.
Tom Furseth was one of three men killed in a random shooting at Don Carter Lanes on the evening of December 26, 2020. The other victims were Jerome Woodfork, 69, of Rockford, and Dennis Steinhoff, 73, of Rockford. The incident was a tragic and senseless act of violence that shocked the community. The shooter, Duke Webb, a 37-year-old active-duty Special Forces soldier, was arrested and charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Webb was taken into custody without incident and later confessed to the shootings. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but it was reported that Webb was suffering from mental health issues at the time of the incident.
The legal proceedings following the shooting were closely watched by the community. Webb's defense team argued that he was not in his right mind during the attack due to his mental health struggles. However, the prosecution maintained that Webb's actions were deliberate and premeditated. The case went to trial, and Webb was found guilty of all charges. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The families of the victims, including Tom Furseth's loved ones, expressed relief at the verdict but also emphasized that no sentence could bring back their lost family members. The community of Rockford continues to mourn the loss of Tom Furseth and the other victims, remembering them for the lives they lived and the impact they had on those around them.
