Dre’Queon K. Freeman was a beloved son who touched many lives in his 19 years. Born on November 23, 2006, the young man from Rockford, Illinois, was remembered fondly by family, friends, and colleagues for the moments they shared and the memories they created. His passing left his family with the heartbreaking reality of planning a funeral for someone so young and deeply loved.
In the wake of his death, his mother, Shamone Freeman, described the immense pain of losing her son, a sentiment echoed by all who knew him.
The final day of Dre’Queon’s life was Friday, October 2, 2026. Around 5 p.m., Rockford Police Department officers were called to the city's west side for a report of a shooting. They arrived at the intersection of Miriam Avenue and Andrews Street to find Dre’Queon suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital for emergency treatment. Despite the efforts of medical staff, his injuries were too severe. Dre’Queon Freeman, a male, died from his wounds early the next morning on Saturday, October 3, 2026. The Winnebago County Coroner's Office later confirmed his identity.
The investigation into the homicide began immediately, led by detectives from the Rockford Police Department. Within a day of the shooting, authorities publicly identified a suspect: 21-year-old Mauri Scott, also of Rockford. Police obtained an arrest warrant for Scott, signaling a swift development in the case. The community was asked to provide any information they had on his whereabouts.
On the evening of Monday, October 5, 2026, Mauri Scott was taken into custody and booked into the Winnebago County Jail. He was charged with multiple felonies in connection with Dre’Queon’s death, including first-degree murder, armed robbery, aggravated battery, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and possession of a firearm without a valid Firearm Owner's Identification card. Following his arrest, Scott was held in jail pending a detention hearing and an expected court appearance.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Dre’Queon’s family was faced with unimaginable grief. His mother started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of a funeral and memorial service, allowing them to honor her son’s life with the dignity he deserved. The family reached out to the community for prayers and support during their time of sorrow. A visitation was held on the morning of Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Carl E. Ponds Funeral Home in Rockford, followed by a funeral service at the same location later that day, where those who knew and loved Dre’Queon gathered to pay their last tributes.
As of October 2026, the criminal case against Mauri Scott was proceeding through the Winnebago County court system. Anyone with information regarding the shooting was asked to contact the Rockford Police Department at 815-966-2900 or Rockford Area Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.
