Rockford man charged in District Bar & Grill shooting

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Police arrested Avery Jones, 26, for allegedly firing multiple shots at the District Bar & Grill while patrons and employees were inside.

Officers were called to the bar on West State for reports of shots fired in the area on September 2, around 11 p.m. Authorities found multiple shattered windows, damage inside the bar and two cars that were hit with gunfire.

Jones was kicked out of the bar earlier in the evening for being disorderly, staff told police.

Jones turned himself in a day later on unrelated warrants and was lodged in the Winnebago County Jail.

Authorities searched the suspect’s residence and found handgun magazines and a cannabis grow operation.

Nicole Jones, 47, was inside the home at the time of the search and refused to lock up her dogs that were being aggressive, according to officials.

Detectives reported that the house was not fit to live in to City of Rockford officials, which caused the residence to be condemned.

Avery Jones is charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a repeat offender, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm in a vehicle, possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card, possession with intent to deliver cannabis and three counts of criminal property damage.

Nicole Jones is charged with obstructing a police officer.