A Crossbow Wielding Man Faces Attempted Murder Charges in Galena

A Jo Daviess man has been taken into custody after a domestic dispute involving a crossbow shooting. The near-miss tragedy may yet have a bad ending for the perpetrator, who now faces multiple charges, including Attempted Murder and Aggravated Battery.

The Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office reports that on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at approximately 9:08 p.m., Dispatch received a 911 call saying that an individual at the residence had been shot with a weapon.

The crossbow shooting suspect is named to be Ronald A. Smith.

Smith had been a resident of Galena, IL, until April 2022, when a domestic violence incident occurred between Smith and his now-estranged wife. Her name is being withheld at her request. Since then, Smith had not been at the Galena residence and was thought to be in Colorado at this most recent incident.

On Wednesday, June 22, Michael Roellich, Galena, IL, a friend of Smith's estranged wife, was visiting her at her residence. As the two sat on the residence's deck, Smith allegedly appeared around the corner of the house armed with a crossbow.

As Roellich and the female subject attempted to flee, Smith allegedly shot Roellich in the back with the crossbow, causing the arrow to pierce Roellich's torso. Roellich left the scene through the woods until reaching Park Avenue in Galena, IL, where he knocked on doors attempting to make contact with residents to call 911. Officers located Roellich and sought medical attention for him.

After the shooting, Smith also allegedly fled the scene. Responding officers set up a crime scene perimeter. However, the suspect had a time advantage before the officers arrived.

Jo Daviess County K9 Units (2) and East Dubuque Police Department K9 Units conducted a track in the woods where the crossbow and a duffle bag were discovered.

Finally, just after midnight, law enforcement connected with Smith's father. He advised that he had located Smith and was going to drive him to the Jo Daviess County Jail. Law enforcement worked with Smith's father to safely transfer Smith into police custody at 12:19 a.m. on June 23, 2022

Meanwhile, Roellich was transported to Midwest Medical, then eventually a higher-level care facility, where surgery was performed to remove the projectile. Roellich is expected to make a full recovery.

Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit processed the scene. Smith is formally charged with two counts of Attempted Murder, a Class X felony with a penalty of 6 – 30 years for each count. And two counts of Aggravated Battery, a class 3 felony with a sentence of 2 – 5 years in the Department of Corrections for each count.

Smith is currently held at the Jo Daviess County Jail on a $500,000 bond. Should Smith post bond, he will be required to comply with several conditions, one of which will be GPS monitoring. The Jo Daviess County Sheriff's Office reminds the public that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.