Rockford Police Seize Loaded Gun, Arrest Two in Weapons Case

Detectives executed a search warrant that uncovered a loaded firearm and led to charges against two Rockford men.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 12:55am

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Rockford Police have arrested two men during a search on the city's southeast side that was tied to an ongoing Illinois weapons investigation. According to a Rockford PD press release, detectives executed a targeted search warrant on Friday morning (1/30) in the 1200 block of Widergren Drive, uncovering a loaded handgun. Police arrested 21-year-old Tszarian Wright and 19-year-old Deterrace Dotson at the scene.

Why it matters

The arrests are part of Rockford Police's ongoing efforts to curb illegal firearms possession and gang-related activity in the city's neighborhoods. Illegal gun violence remains a persistent issue in Rockford, which has seen an uptick in shootings and homicides in recent years.

The details

Members of RPD's Gang and Narcotics Unit carried out the operation on January 30, 2026, as part of efforts to curb illegal firearms possession and gang-related activity in Rockford neighborhoods. The search resulted in the seizure of one loaded firearm inside the residence. Wright faces charges of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a firearm without a valid Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) card. Dotson was charged with an outstanding warrant for unlawful possession of a weapon by a gang member, along with possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card.

  • The search warrant was executed on Friday morning, January 30, 2026.
  • The two men were arrested at the scene of the search.

The players

Rockford Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Rockford, Illinois that conducted the search warrant and made the arrests.

Tszarian Wright

A 21-year-old Rockford man who was arrested and charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card.

Deterrace Dotson

A 19-year-old Rockford man who was arrested on an outstanding warrant for unlawful possession of a weapon by a gang member, along with possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on whether to grant bail for Tszarian Wright and Deterrace Dotson at their upcoming court hearings.

The takeaway

This case highlights Rockford Police's ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal firearms and gang activity in the city, which has been grappling with rising gun violence in recent years. The seizure of a loaded weapon and arrests of two individuals demonstrate the department's commitment to public safety through targeted enforcement operations.