On November 11th, 1990, Aaron Darrell Spears was involved in a dispute with his landlord.

Rockford police officers responded to 511 N. Second Street after a 911 call was made by the landlord. While interviewing the landlord, Aaron Spears came back to the scene allegedly with a knife in hand.

Aaron ran from the scene while officers, including Pat Giraldi, gave chase. Giraldi shot Aaron twice, once in the back + once in the side, he was running away.

The shooting occurred near the intersection of College Avenue and Seminary Street.

Giradi said he decided to shoot because he thought Aaron was headed for apartments. He decided to shoot multiple times to ensure he hit Aaron.

Giradi was put on desk duty pending the internal investigation and Aaron was charged with aggravated assault and attempted armed robbery.

Witnesses to the shooting told Rockford Register Star reporters that as they seen Aaron running, they were yelling at the cops begging them not to shoot.

One of the witnesses said they were familiar with Aaron as he would frequently ride bike to his sisters house, 150 feet from where he was shot.

This was the third police shooting of 1990, and third deadly force incident of the 90’s.

It was the fourth deadly force incident under Mayor Charles Box.