Miguel Angel Perez, a 54-year-old resident of Rockford, Illinois, was fatally shot on February 11, 2023. At the time of the incident, Perez was canvassing neighborhoods with his family for the Jehovah’s Witnesses. He was waiting in his car while his family members were going door to door in the 1300 block of 7th Avenue around 11:46 a.m..
According to witnesses, a white vehicle passed by, and its occupants fired shots at Perez as it drove away.
When officers arrived, they found Perez sitting dead in his car with gunshot wounds.
The Rockford Police Department has issued an arrest warrant for a 15-year-old suspect in connection with the murder. As of the latest reports, the suspect remains at large. The police are seeking any information that could lead to the apprehension of the suspect and have provided contact numbers for the Rockford Police Department and Rockford Area Crime Stoppers for tips.
Perez's death has caused significant concern among the local community, particularly in an area already plagued by gun violence. Long-time resident Jerry Petersen expressed his fears and frustrations, noting that gun fire is a frequent occurrence in the neighborhood and that he has even found bullet holes in his own house. The incident has led some residents to consider relocating due to the ongoing danger.
Miguel Angel Perez was born on August 1, 1968, in Cueramaro, Guanajuato, Mexico, and was raised in Watsonville, California. He worked as a welder at Marson International in Elkhart, Indiana, and enjoyed activities such as working on cars, listening to music, and spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, and several siblings.
A GoFundMe campaign was started by Perez’s brother-in-law to help the family cover funeral expenses and other debts that had accrued due to Perez being off work for almost a year following a bad car accident. The campaign also aims to address the loss of their only vehicle, which was involved in the murder investigation and may not be returned or may lose its value due to the incident.
The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Rockford Spanish Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses issued a statement expressing their grief and offering support to Perez’s family during this difficult time.
