DeKalb police call in major case squad to address shots fired incidents

DeKALB – Nearly 24 hours after a woman was shot in the leg in a car in the 800 block of North Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb police sent a news release saying they’re enlisting county agencies to address violence in the neighborhood.

“We understand that recent shooting events have raised concerns in the community,” DeKalb Police Chief Gene Lowery said in the release. “We share those concerns and are doing everything we can to investigate the incidents while also opening up the lines of communication with residents in the area most impacted by violence over the last several weeks.”

Deputy Chief John Petragallo said the woman was shot while in a car with a few other people when the suspect approached and opened fire, and she was struck in the leg by gunfire. The car broke through a fence and crashed into a telephone pole.

The victim was treated and released from Kishwaukee Hospital, the release says. The incident marked the seventh report of shots fired in a month within a mile of that location.

Residents who have any information about the shooting incidents or are concerned about the recent events are urged to go to the police department when it opens its doors to residents at 5 p.m. Monday at 700 W. Lincoln Highway.

“It is important for us to hear your voices, gather your input, and reassure you that we are utilizing all of the resources available to us to address these crimes and improve public safety,” the release reads.

Lowery said in the statement that the DeKalb County Major Case Squad has been asked to help investigate Tuesday’s shooting.

A Northern Illinois University safety bulletin describes three suspects in the incident as men, one light-skinned and wearing a black jacket and hat, and the other two dark-skinned, one wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and the other in a black jacket.

The release from the DeKalb Police Department said it is working with NIU, Waterman, Sycamore and Cortland police, as well as the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, to ensure community safety.

“We ask that as a community we work together in a unified manner to implement a focused and effective approach to address this vital concern,” Lowery said in the release.