The Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at approximately 9:08 p.m., Jo Daviess County Dispatch received a call reporting someone shot with some type of weapon at a residence.

This is the following information released regarding this investigation:

The suspect in this investigation is 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. Since that time, Smith had not been at the Galena residence, and, believed to be in Colorado at the time of this most recent incident,

On the night of Wednesday, June 22, Michael Roellich, of Galena, IL, who is a friend of Smith’s estranged wife, was visiting her at her residence. As the two were sitting on the deck of the residence, Smith 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, or “bolt” as it is called, to become lodged in Roellich’s torso. Roellich fled the scene through the woods until reaching Park Avenue in Galena, IL, where Roellich attempted to contact residents by knocking on doors. Roellich was able to contact a resident who called 911. Officers located Roellich and seek medical attention for him.

After the shooting, Smith also fled the scene. Officers responding set up a perimeter; however, Smith did have a time advantage before officers arriving. After the initial arrival of officers, the Jo Daviess County K9 Units (2) and East Dubuque Police Department K9 Unit assisted, along with the Jo Daviess County Investigations Unit. Other agencies assisting in the search/investigation were the Galena Police Department and East Dubuque Police Department.

As the K9 Units conducted a track in the woods, and deputies discover a crossbow, and duffle bag . Officers continued their search for Smith.

Just after midnight, law enforcement was able to contact Smith’s father. Smith’s father 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 turn over Smith into police custody. At 12:19 a.m. on June 23, 2022, Deputies took Smith into custody at the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office.

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 crime scene.

On June 23, 2022, Jo Daviess County Deputies charged Smith with two counts of Attempted Murder, a class X felony which carries a penalty of 6 – 30 years in the Department of Corrections for each count, and two counts of Aggravated Battery, a class 3 felony which carries a penalty of 2 – 5 years in the Department of Corrections for each count. Smiths, held at the Jo Daviess County Jail on a $500,000 bond.