On June 24, 2023, 19-year-old male Dequan Davis was shot and killed in Rockford, Illinois. The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. during a gathering in the 3300 block of Sunnyside Avenue. Reports indicate that a large crowd had assembled in the street when gunfire erupted, striking Davis. He was transported in a private vehicle to a local emergency department, where medical personnel attempted to save his life. Despite their efforts, Davis was pronounced dead at 4:30 a.m.
An autopsy conducted on June 26 confirmed that he had died from a gunshot wound.
Authorities launched an investigation into the shooting, seeking to determine the circumstances surrounding Davis’s death. During the inquiry, law enforcement officials discovered a firearm at the scene. The weapon was later linked to 22-year-old Tereontae Benford, a Rockford resident with a prior felony conviction. However, police clarified that the firearm was not directly connected to the murder of Davis. Benford was charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon and Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon on Parole. His parole conditions prohibited him from possessing a firearm, making his alleged involvement a violation of legal restrictions.
Benford was scheduled to appear in court for a status hearing regarding the charges against him, but he failed to attend. This was not the first time he had missed a court date, as records indicate he had previously been absent from a scheduled appearance on February 15. His prior criminal history includes an arrest in 2021 for an incident in which a firearm was allegedly pointed at a victim from inside a vehicle.
The investigation into Davis’s death remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses. The Rockford Police Department has urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward to assist in identifying those responsible for the fatal incident.
