Rockford Woman Charged After Altercation at Welsh School

On Wednesday (9/11), Rockford Police School Resource Officers were dispatched to Welsh School on Huffman Boulevard at approximately 9:35 a.m. after reports of an altercation involving a staff member and an adult female.

The situation escalated quickly, prompting a school lockdown and a 911 call.

Incident Details Unfold: Suspected Drug Possession and Physical Confrontation

According to a Rockford PD press release, when officers arrived at the school they were informed that during a routine meeting, 33-year-old Shakeda Barfield had accidentally dropped several baggies containing suspected cocaine.

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The school staff member who discovered the drugs attempted to collect them, which led to a physical confrontation. During the ensuing struggle, the staff member sustained multiple non-life-threatening injuries.

The school was immediately locked down to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Barfield Faces Multiple Charges Following the Altercation

Shakeda Barfield was taken into custody and is currently being held at the County Jail. After reviewing the incident, the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office authorized several charges against Barfield.

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She faces allegations including possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, aggravated battery and strangulation, aggravated battery to a school employee, and disorderly conduct.

It is important to note that these charges are accusations, and Barfield is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Public Assistance Requested in Ongoing Investigation

The Rockford Police Department is seeking any additional information related to this incident or other events.

Individuals with information are encouraged to contact the department at 815-966-2900 or reach out via Facebook (@RockfordIllinoisPoliceDepartment) or Twitter (@RockfordPD).