Man convicted of shooting victim in face at Rockford liquor store

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – A Rockford man has been sentenced to spend the next 10 years of his life in prison for shooting a 28-year-old man in the face in April 2022.

Bernard Simmons III, 34, learned his fate on August 16 after more than an hour of pleadings and testimony. Judge Brandon Maher sentenced Simmons III to 11 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections with credit for 763 days of time already served. He must serve at least 85% of his sentence.

Simmons pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on June 27. Two other charges against him were dropped.

The shooting occurred around midnight on April 6, 2022, at W & S Food & Liquor, 1317 Broadway Ave. in Rockford, when Simmons got into an argument with the victim.

During the sentencing, Simmons' mother testified and said Simmons took an anger management class after his brother was shot.

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