Freeport man charged in shooting of man who entered business with gunshot wound

FREEPORT, Ill. – A Freeport man has been charged for the shooting of a man who entered a business with gunshot wound.

UPDATE: Michael Blasing, 66, of Freeport, is facing several charges including Attempted First Degree Murder, and Aggravated Battery with Discharged Firearm, both Class X Felonies, court records show.

Blasing is also charged with two counts of Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon, a Class 3 Felony, court records show.

Allegations.

On Oct. 30, shortly after 10 p.m., Freeport Police says officers responded to a report of a gunshot victim who entered a business in the 1300 block of W. Galena Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers found a 43-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the stomach that was suffered at a nearby location, according to police.

The victim promptly received medical aid at the scene and taken to a nearby hospital. Due to the severity of his injuries, he was later transferred to Rockford where he is stable, according to police.

On the following day, police say Blasing was arrested in connection to the shooting but was only charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon.

Court records show Blasing was convicted and sentenced to prison on felony drug charges in Missouri in 1997.

On Nov. 3, after conducting interviews and locating new evidence, the Stephenson Co. State’s Attorney approved a felony charge of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, according to police.