Police: Sterling drive-by shooting, car crash send two to hospital

STERLING – No arrests have been announced in connection with a shooting that left two people injured in Sterling on Tuesday night.

The two men, whose names have not been released by authorities, were sent to a Peoria hospital for treatment after they were shot and the vehicle they were riding in crashed into a high-line pole in Sterling on Tuesday night.

Sterling police officers were notified of the shooting about 6 p.m. Tuesday in the area of 13th Avenue and East Fifth Street. According to a news release, responding officers found evidence of a shooting and two males suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Preliminary indications are that the two males were passengers in a vehicle that was fired upon, resulting in that vehicle colliding with a high-line pole.

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According to neighbors, shots were fired about 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in Sterling. According to witnesses, an initial burst of two shots was followed by six more. (Alex T. Paschal)

Both victims were taken to the CGH Medical Center and subsequently taken to OSF Hospital in Peoria. Their conditions have not been released. Police said the shooting is believed to be an isolated incident, and there is no perceived threat to the public. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details will be released at this time, police said.

Sterling police were assisted at the scene by the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office, the Rock Falls Police Department, the Sterling Fire Department, CGH emergency medical services, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services and Illinois State Police Troop 1.

Anyone with information or with possible video footage of the area is asked to call the Sterling Police Department at 815-632-6640 or Whiteside County Crimestoppers at 815-625-7867.