Police: No shots fired during Rockford Fourth of July fireworks

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – Although there was a call for service regarding a possible gun incident in downtown Rockford Thursday during the Fourth of July fireworks, police said there was no evidence that a weapon was involved.

“The call came in as shots fired but nothing was confirmed,” Rockford Police Public Information Officer Michelle Marcomb told Eyewitness News Friday.

At 10:15 p.m., police received a call about a possible medical emergency on Chestnut Street.

Several social media posts followed the call, indicating that a shooting occurred near the corner of Chestnut and Wyman streets just outside of Davis Park.

A Reddit user later posted a video describing the scene as a “stampede” of people across the bridge.

The 42-second clip shows people running in the area shouting as fireworks—at Davis Park and outside the park—are heard in the background.

“What was confirmed was that someone had fallen,” Marcomb said.

Whether the person who reportedly fell was injured is not known.

Later Friday, police issued the following statement: “There was no shooting or shooting victim on Chestnut Street Bridge last night, July 4, 2024. When officers arrived at the area they located a man who had fallen on the bridge, but again, there was no evidence of a shooting. Any other information being presented is incorrect.”

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