Sterling man charged in fatal shooting, victim identified

Police siren/emergency lights

STERLING — The victim of Monday’s fatal shooting was identified Tuesday afternoon, and a 29-year-old man is being charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, according to Sterling police.

At 7:40 a.m. Monday, officers responded to a disturbance-related call in the 900 block of West Fourth Street and found a man had been shot inside the residence.

Alfred G. Lee, 48, of Sterling was pronounced dead at the scene, Deputy Chief Pat Bartel said in a news release.

According to the investigation, Lee had an altercation with Deandre D. Abner, 29, of Sterling, and Abner shot Lee once.

Abner was detained at the scene and later charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, which can carry a sentence of 6 to 30 years in prison. He remains in custody at the Whiteside County Jail.

The investigation is ongoing.

The Sterling Police Department was assisted by Rock Falls police, the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department, Sterling Fire Department, CGH Ambulance, and the Whiteside County Coroner’s office.


Rachel Rodgers

Rachel Rodgers

Rachel Rodgers joined Sauk Valley Media in 2016 covering local government in Dixon and Lee County.