WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderDistrict 205 beefs up security Monday following shooting

District 205 beefs up security Monday following shooting

By Katie Nilsson

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Rockford Public Schools Superintendent LaVonne Sheffield asks for extra officers to beef up security at Auburn and Guilford high schools and Fresh Start Academy.

Her call came after two teens were killed at a Halloween party over the weekend.

16-year-old Deangelo Link and 19-year-old Nathan Melendez-Torrance died after they were shot outside a Rockford home early Sunday morning.   School leaders asked police for help, partly to help kids feel safe.   "We're confident that with our openness and availability of additional officers that we may get the real reason this happened over the weekend."

Deputy Chief Theo Glover says they're encouraging anyone who knows anything about the deadly shooting, to get in touch with them.   They also hope putting officers and private security guards at the three schools will let kids feel safe in class,and in turn, help them solve the murders.  Glover tells us that Link was a student at Auburn's Fresh Start Academy.

Rockford school's communication chief says they added security there, and at Auburn and Guilford because of suspected gang involvement in the shooting.  "It's believed that the shooting is gang related, and at least at this point in time, we have an increased level of gang tension at those three schools.

Students tell us they noticed the difference, officers at the end of both halls at Auburn.   "They got security guards all over the school building making sure nobody's coming in when they aren't supposed to", says Junior Cecil White.   Another Auburn Junior says,   "I felt safe coming to Auburn a long time ago though, you know what I'm saying, cuz my mama went here and all that you know what I'm saying.   If my mom made it, I know I can."

The officers will be at the schools for at least a week.   Deputy Chief Glover says no one has been arrested yet for the weekend murders.