WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderState Police will conduct independent shooting investigation

State Police will conduct independent shooting investigation

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Illinois State Police will do an independent investigation of the officer-involved fatal shooting of a man inside a church-run daycare.

With the backing of the Rockford Police Department, Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscato asked Illinois State Police to open the external investigation of the August 24 shooting of Mark Anthony Barmore, 23.

Barmore was shot by police during an incident inside the basement of the House of Grace pre-school and daycare which is housed by Kingdom Authority International Ministries in the 500 block of North Court Street.

"As State's Attorney I am pleased that the Illinois State Police has agreed to conduct an independent investigation. I am grateful to the community leaders on the state, county and city levels, that came together in support of this decision," said Bruscato. "Everyone has the same ultimate desire, to reach the truth. We all must be committed to that end."

The pastor of the church where Barmore was shot spoke on the air with News Director Ken DeCoster from our news gathering partners at WNTA. Pastor Melvin Brown says the Barmore family had an independent autopsy done on Barmore's body. According to attorneys representing the Barmore family, that autopsy showed Barmore was shot once in the neck and three times in the back.

The Winnebago County Coroner's Office conducted its autopsy shortly after the shooting last week concluding Barmore died of multiple gun shot wounds, but would not give an exact number because the shooting is an open investigation. On the day of the shooting, witnesses at the scene claimed Barmore was shot nine times. Winnebago County Coroner Sue Fiduccia says that number is not accurate.

Barmore was shot by two Rockford Police officers, Officer Oda Poole and Officer Stan North. Both have been put on administrative duty until the shooting investigation is complete.

During a press conference two days after the shooting, Rockford Police Chief Chet Epperson detailed the official police report on the incident. Epperson says his officers were responding to a call at 12:15 p.m. Monday about Barmore returning to a location where he was involved in a domestic dispute Sunday evening. The 911 dispatcher warned officers that Barmore had threatened to use a knife in that dispute. The officers found Barmore in front of the church building on North Court Street. Officer Poole chased Barmore, who ran inside the building and into the basement. There he was confronted by both officers Poole and North. Epperson says Officer Poole got into a struggle with Barmore over a service weapon and that's when both officers shot Barmore. Staff members and school children were in the basement at the time of the confrontation and shooting.

Civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson came to Rockford on Sunday, to rally the community in a call for justice in the Barmore shooting. He is asking for a federal investigation to be conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Jackson says the family allowed him to inspect Mark Barmore's body and he saw four bullet holes. Jackson's claim is consistent with the independent autopsy the family had done.

During his visit, Jackson spoke to a group of people that gathered near Faith Walker's Assembly and then to a second group that rallied at Kingdom Authority International Ministries.

Jackson also met with Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey and Police Chief Epperson at city hall.

Meanwhile, funeral services are being planned for Mark Barmore. They will be held on Thursday.