Two students shot in Rockford Auburn High School parking lot; three arrested
ROCKFORD — Rockford Public Schools Superintendent Ehren Jarrett said there will be increased security at Auburn High School starting Wednesday, a day after two 17-year-old Auburn High School students were shot as they sat in a vehicle in the school's parking lot.
The shooting occurred shortly after 1 p.m.
The wounded students are a male and a female, one of whom was seriously injured, Rockford Police Chief Carla Redd said.
Three people, who fled in a vehicle, were located on the city's southeast side and were taken into custody. Two handguns were recovered. Names of the suspects and charges have yet to be announced.
Jarrett was joined Tuesday by Redd and Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara in the school's library where they addressed the media. Each called the level of violence and the accessibility of guns in the community "unacceptable."
"We are deeply committed to adding additional security in the short term," Jarrett said. "We are committed to doing what it takes to partner with people in our community to get to some of the root causes of some of these issues. These young men should not have guns or access to guns. They should not be in a situation where an act like this can occur."
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The shooting occurred shortly after 1 p.m.
It was not disclosed how many shots were fired.
Police initially announced the shooting via Twitter shortly after the high school and surrounding schools were placed on lockdown.
McNamara spoke as mayor and as a father of children who attended Rockford Public Schools.
"The rate of violence right now in our community is not acceptable no matter if it is in our streets, in our homes or on our school campuses," he said.
He added, "Our kids shouldn't be going to our schools, the streets or anywhere in the community and having to worry about their safety. We need to create that environment. That's on me, the superintendent, the chief, but It's also on our entire community."
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Redd said police were still early in their investigations and had yet to determine what prompted the shooting.
The chief also made a public plea to the public for help in addressing the number of youths who have access to handguns.
"You all know who the kids are that are involved with guns, who have access to guns," she said. "They're your kids. They're your neighbors' (kids) or grandkids or your nieces, your nephews. Stop sitting on your bottoms and do something about it."
Redd said police are still finalizing their year-end weapon recovery totals, but said as of the end of November, the department is up 66% in gun recoveries.
In addition to increased security and protocols, Jarrett said eight additional social workers will be on hand Wednesday at the school for students and staff.
"We think this is going to be an important place to be for healing ..., he said. "So we really want to encourage our faculty, staff and students to all be a part of the healing from what is a very traumatic event."
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, D-17, was scheduled to visit Auburn High School Wednesday to speak to students about her experience in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6th, 2021, and the importance of protecting our democracy. On Tuesday evening, her office sent out an advisory stating the event had been cancelled due to the shootings.
She tweeted: "Heartbroken to learn about this shooting today. My prayers are with the victims, their loved ones and the entire Rockford community. As we wait for further details, I want to thank our first responders and law enforcement who acted swiftly."
Chris Green: cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Two teens shot in Auburn parking lot, police arrest three people
