3 People Released From Custody As APD Investigates Shooting, Firearm Recovery On Aurora's East Side

AURORA, IL — Three people were taken into custody — but later released — in connection with Aurora police's ongoing investigation into Sunday's shooting on the city's East Side, officials shared Tuesday.

At about 6:50 a.m. Sunday, Aurora's ShotSpotter system picked up on six rounds fired in the 100 block of North State Street. Police learned soon after that a residence and a church had been struck, but no injuries were reported, officials said.

Officers who responded to the shooting saw at least two people fleeing the area, prompting a brief foot chase, leading to one juvenile being apprehended near Galena Boulevard and Rose Street. Officers established a perimeter as they searched for others involved with help from Aurora police's K-9 and drone units, patrol officers and supervisors.

During the investigation, police discovered that firearms connected to this incident had been placed inside a vehicle parked in the area, spokesperson Jim Levicki wrote in a news release.

Police obtained and executed a search warrant that yielded a Glock 9mm pistol with an extended magazine and a fully automatic conversion device, reported stolen out of East Chicago, Indiana. Police also found a Taurus 9mm handgun, reported stolen out of Bolingbrook, and a Bryco Model 59 9mm gun with extra magazines and ammunition, according to the release.

An adult and two juveniles were taken into custody following the search warrant, but Levicki said they were later released, pending further investigative action, due to the complexity of the case and ongoing forensic review.

Officials said detectives continue pursuing leads to determine who was responsible for the discharge of the firearm and possession of the recovered weapons, which are undergoing forensic processing and will be submitted to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network.

"When gunfire erupts in a residential neighborhood, it puts innocent families and places of worship at risk — and that's something we will never take lightly," Aurora Police Chief Matt Thomas said in a statement. "I'm proud of the quick, disciplined response by our officers, supervisors, K9, and drone teams who worked together to safely take individuals into custody and recover multiple stolen firearms. That kind of coordination matters, and it reflects our ongoing commitment to keeping our neighborhoods safe."

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Aurora Police Department Investigations Division at 630-256-5500.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000 or www.p3tips.com/135. The program offers cash rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of felony crime offenders and the capture of felony fugitives.