New information about the fatal shooting of a 14-year old boy, who allegedly broke into a Stillman Valley home to steal guns. Two other juveniles accused of breaking in with him have been arrested. But it's an 18-year old Rockford man that investigators believe is most to blame.
"If it wasn't for Cody Moore, this whole thing never would have happened," says Ogle County Sheriff Greg Beitel.
Beitel says tips from Crimestoppers and other sources led deputies to arrest 18-year old Cody Wayne Moore Tuesday during a traffic stop in Rockford. Moore and two juveniles are charged with residential burglary, for allegedly breaking in to a Stillman Valley house.
"Moore knew the homeowner, he knew the homeowner had guns there, he knew the homeowner wasn't going to be there and he drove them there," says Beitel.
Ogle County authorities also arrested a 16-year old in Rockford Tuesday night and a 15-year old turned himself in Wednesday. Their names are not being released.
Investigators say Moore waited in the car, while the 15 and 16-year olds and another boy, 14-year old Travis Castle broke into the house.
Sheriff Beitle said Thursday the boys were not armed when they entered the home, but they allegedly grabbed firearms inside, along with money and other property.
A housesitter caught the boys in the act. He says Castle pointed a gun at him, so he shot and killed the boy.
Beitel will not release the shooter's name. He believes he was acting in self-defense and should not be charged with a crime.
"I've talked with him at length, I know he's very upset by what happened, he's devastated by it," says Beitel.
Meanwhile Castle's family is dealing with their own devastation.
Castle's mother Kim Britton says, "I mean why didn't he just shoot up in the air, the kid would have ran, he would have ran."
But as much as they run the scenario through their minds, Castle's family can't erase the night's tragic consequences.
Moore is being held in the Ogle County jail on half a million dollars bond. The 15 and 16-year olds are in juvenile detention centers. Their names will not be released unless the Ogle County State's Attorney decides to try them as adults.
Sheriff Beitel will meet with the state's attorney next week. He could decide to hold the teens accountable for Castle's death and they could be charged with murder.
There was a similar fatal home invasion in Winnebago County recently, where the accomplices were charged with murder, instead of the resident who actually killed the intruder.
I spoke to Moore's family Thursday night. They declined to make any comments about their son's involvement.