Guilty verdict for Rockford man accused of stalking, shooting ex-girlfriend in 2023

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Joe Williams, 60, has been found guilty of shooting his ex-girlfriend in the neck while she sat in her car in May 2023.

Williams is accused of setting the victim’s house on fire, in the 700 block of Harper Avenue, on March 21st. Police said the woman then went to stay with a relative.

According to the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office, on May 2nd, 2023, Williams drove to the house, in the 2300 block of Canary Drive, after the victim had failed to respond to daily text messages from him in an attempt to reconcile the relationship.

He waited for her to walk out to her car to go to work around 10:30 p.m. and shot her while she sat in the driver’s seat, authorities said. The first shot missed, but the second round hit her in the neck, traveled to her jaw, and lodged between her teeth.

Investigators were able to identify Williams as the suspect and were able to track his movements using license plate readers and video cameras throughout the city, and corroborated those movements with subpoenaed phone records.

The weapon used in the crime was found during a search of William’s home on Garrett Lane.

Williams faces a minimum sentence of 31 years to natural life after being found guilty of Attempted Murder and Aggravated Battery with a Firearm.

The arson case against Williams is still in progress, with the next court date scheduled for October 25th.

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