Robert "Bob" Stone, a 64-year-old white male from South Beloit, Illinois, passed away on June 10, 2018. His death was ruled a homicide following a tragic series of events involving his son, Vito Stone. Bob Stone was found dead from gunshot wounds to his head and neck in the backyard of his home, where he had been camping with his grandchildren. The incident occurred at 2205 Blackhawk Blvd., South Beloit, IL.
Bob was discovered lying on an inflatable air mattress inside a tent, with his grandchildren unharmed nearby.
The investigation revealed that Vito Stone, 38, who had been living with his father along with his wife and children, was responsible for the murder. On the night of June 9, 2018, Vito left the house and fired a shot outside the tent where Bob was sleeping. His wife managed to convince him to leave the yard and called the police. When the police arrived, Vito was carrying a firearm. He initially complied with the officers' orders to drop his weapon but then pulled out a second gun and walked into the trees in the backyard, where he fired two shots. Vito then returned to the front yard and fatally shot himself in the head. He was pronounced dead at Mercyhealth Hospital in Rockford shortly after.
The coroner's inquest confirmed that Bob Stone's death was a homicide and Vito Stone's death was a suicide. The motive behind Vito's actions remains unclear, although it was noted that he had a history of mental health issues and drug addiction. Toxicology reports indicated that Vito had marijuana and fentanyl in his system at the time of the incident. Additionally, he was on prescription medications for fibromyalgia, back pain, generalized anxiety disorder, and agoraphobia with panic attacks.
This tragic event left the community of South Beloit in shock, as Bob Stone was a well-known and respected figure. He had served as a volunteer firefighter, a public safety commissioner, and a member of the South Beloit City Council. Bob was also actively involved in various community events and organizations, including the South Beloit Businessman's Association and the Boardtracker Hog Chapter. His death marked a significant loss for the community, and the circumstances surrounding it highlighted the devastating impact of mental health issues and substance abuse.
