Police: Argument sparked shooting
TOWN OF BELOIT — Police have arrested a Rockford, Ill., man after a shooting in the parking lot of a town of Beloit bar left three people injured early Sunday.
According to the Town of Beloit Police Department, Antwann Griffin, 25, of Rockford, is being held in Winnebago County Jail pending extradition proceedings for apparently firing shots during the incident, which happened around 2 a.m. Sunday at the Silver Slipper Saloon and Gentleman's Club.
The bar is at 1901 Wisconsin Ave., Beloit, in the former location of the Bear Chest.
Police investigators have learned that groups of patrons had been exchanging threats, angry looks and hostile gestures inside the bar.
When the club's customers exited the bar at closing time, tensions between the arguing patrons boiled over.
Police believe multiple men exchanged gunfire in the parking lot during the shooting, injuring three people with gunshot wounds, police said.
When police arrived at the bar shortly after 2 a.m., officers saw 20 to 30 people fleeing on foot and in vehicles.
A police investigation identified a silver Chevrolet Impala as being involved in the shooting. South Beloit, Ill., police later stopped a vehicle matching that description.
Police said Griffin was in the car, along with John Griffin, 22, and Leanthony Lilly, 26, both of Rockford.
John Griffin apparently was grazed in the head by a bullet during the shooting. Medical personnel treated him on the spot.
Police took Antwann Griffin into custody. They arrested John Griffin and Lilly for carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct. They were released with court dates.
Two people with gunshot wounds to their legs showed up at the Beloit Memorial Hospital emergency room shortly after the shooting.
Neither person had life-threatening injuries, but one had a wound that required surgery, police said.
Their names are being withheld pending an investigation and for their own safety, police said.
Police are urging anyone with information on the shooting to call the Town of Beloit Police Department at 608-757-2244.
