On October 1st, 2011, Lamar Coates, Brandon Sago, Desmond Bellmon, and Lil Mike Sago were allegedly involved in an attempted robbery at Marie’s Pizza in Rockford. Lamar Coates was the only one armed. The entire incident lasted 36 seconds.

Reports said Lamar entered first with the gun, followed by Desmond and Brandon, while Lil Mike stayed near the door. Inside the restaurant were manager Vincenzo Tarara, delivery driver David Weidner, cook Andres Briceno, and off duty Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office deputy Frank Pobjecky.

Accounts changed over time regarding why Pobjecky was there. Initial reports claimed he was picking up pizza for his family, but later reports stated he had been in the break room with employees rather than the lobby. Pobjecky later said he was watching fights with his childhood friend Tarara. Community members questioned whether he had an official or unofficial security role at the restaurant.

When Lamar entered with the gun visible, Tarara immediately rushed him and a struggle began. Other workers joined the struggle, and Pobjecky grabbed Tarara’s personal gun. After obtaining the gun, Pobjecky shot Desmond Bellmon in the back as he ran for the door. When Tarara gained control of Lamar’s gun, Lamar also ran and was shot in the back by Pobjecky. Seconds later, Brandon Sago attempted to flee and was also shot in the back.

After a brief pause, Desmond escaped while Pobjecky fired additional shots at him. Lil Mike Sago, a 16 year old Auburn High School student, younger brother of Lamar and cousin of Brandon, had remained mostly by the door during the incident and never joined the struggle or touched a weapon. While crawling on his stomach toward the exit, he was shot three times.

Following the shooting, employees and Pobjecky reportedly waited seven minutes before calling 911 and did not provide aid. Paramedics later alleged Lil Mike might have survived if help had arrived sooner.

Afterward, Lamar Coates and Brandon Sago were sentenced to 30 years for Lil Mike’s death, while Desmond Bellmon received a 20-year sentence. Pobjecky was publicly commended for the shooting and later sought public office multiple times with endorsements from local officials including Dave Syverson, but lost each election.

It has also been argued that, under current law, Lamar Coates, Brandon Sago, and Desmond Bellmon could not be charged with Lil Mike Sago’s murder if the same events occurred today, and their sentences would likely be significantly shorter.

This was the second case investigated and justified by the Winnebago Boone County Integrity Task Force and the third deadly force incident involving police in Winnebago County during the 2010s.