Shots fired reports spike after October gun shop break-in

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Springfield police say gunfire increased in the city after the theft in October of more than 50 guns from a local firearms dealer.

However, The State Journal-Register reports (http://bit.ly/2iA9H5F) police records show 2016 ended with slight uptick in shots fired from 2015. There were 223 confirmed cases in 2016, up from 219 shots fired the prior year. But police say the numbers are only approximates because not all gunfire is reported.

Deputy Chief Dennis Arnold says until the October 9 robbery at Letz Hunt and Sport, the capital city was on pace to have a down year. But two of the three busiest months in 2016 occurred in October and November, following the break-in.

In October, police said the theft from the firearms dealer is believed to be gang-related.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com