Two Charged with First-Degree Murder in Deadly Rockford Gas Station Shooting

Rockford, Illinois, is reeling after a violent Labor Day weekend shooting left a young man dead and two suspects facing first-degree murder charges.

The Shooting

On the night of September 7, just after 11 p.m., Rockford police responded to reports of gunfire near the Stop-N-Go gas station in the 2200 block of Charles Street. Officers arrived to find a 21-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound inside his vehicle. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, the victim did not survive.

The Suspects

After an investigation by the Rockford Police Department’s gang unit, detectives identified Ladavion Crawford, 18, and Madison Shackleford, 20, both of Rockford, as suspects in the killing.

Both were arrested and booked into the Winnebago County Jail on charges of first-degree murder. Shackleford is scheduled to make a court appearance on September 9, while Crawford’s initial court date has not yet been announced.

Community Impact

This shooting is the latest in a string of violent incidents troubling Rockford’s east side. The murder of a 21-year-old at a neighborhood gas station has stirred fresh concerns about gang violence, public safety, and the need for stronger community protections.

Residents are calling for solutions that balance accountability for violent offenders with meaningful investments in prevention. For many, the question is: how can the cycle of young lives lost—both victims and offenders—finally be broken?

Moving Forward

As the legal process unfolds, the community mourns another life cut short and braces for the difficult road ahead. The tragedy underscores the urgent need for collaboration between law enforcement, local leaders, and residents to ensure Rockford’s neighborhoods are safe places to live, work, and gather.