Cop involved shooting that left one man dead, found to be justified

A grand jury finds the shooting death of a man by a Rockford Police officer in late January of this year to be justified.

Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscato announced that the Integrity Task Force assigned to the case found that officer Amado Soria shot and killed Philip Johnson Jr. because he was non-compliant to multiple officers' commands.

Bruscato says he also acted in a way that put officers and two other people in danger.

While responding to a call for shots fired officers located a vehicle matching the description of one suspected of being involved, and attempted to speak with three people inside.  It was during that time that Johnson refused to comply and acted in a suspicion way leading officer Soria to pull out his gun and shoot him.

A stolen gun was later found in the car near Johnson and was determined to be in his possession.

"It was determined that, that gun was Phillip Johnson's and that Phillip Johnson was in possession of it that evening," said Bruscato.  "By virtue of the evidence, the testimony, as well as the lab testing that was done."

Rockford Police chief Chet Epperson says officer Soria is still on administrative leave but hopes he will return to regular duty shortly.