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Sauk Valley

Sterling man arrested in connection with Oct. 30 shooting

Robert Bellows Jr., 36, is being held in the Whiteside County Jail on multiple weapons charges in connection with an Oct. 30, 2025, shooting in Sterling.

A Sterling man was arrested on multiple weapons charges Tuesday in connection with an Oct. 30 shooting that injured a resident in that city.

Robert Bellows Jr., 36, is being held in the Whiteside County Jail on one count of reckless conduct, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, two counts of unlawful possession of firearm ammunition by a felon, one count of reckless discharge of a firearm, one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm and one count of burglary, according to a news release from the Sterling Police Department.

The charges stem from a report of gunshots in the 500 block of East Avenue in Sterling that Sterling police were dispatched to about 10:22 p.m. Oct. 30. When officers arrived, they found a resident who was shot, and an investigation was initiated by Sterling detectives, according to the release.

“All evidence shows this to be an isolated incident, and no persons were injured,” according to the release.

As a result of that investigation, on Tuesday, a search warrant was executed at Bellows’ residence on Second Avenue in Sterling by Sterling police officers, Illinois State Police Criminal Investigation Division agents, Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office deputies and ISP SWAT Team members. Evidence supporting Bellows’ arrest was found in his home, according to the release.

Police are planning to make additional arrests in connection with the Oct. 30 shooting. The investigation is ongoing.

Bellows was scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing at 1 p.m. Friday, court records show.

Payton Felix

Payton Felix

Payton Felix reports on local news in the Sauk Valley for the Shaw Local News Network. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago in May of 2023.