Rockford Man Sentenced to 10 Years After Pleading Guilty to 2024 Murder Near Local Furniture Store

Jason Bryant pleaded guilty to the 2024 murder of Chase Higgins near a Rockford furniture store. See the sentencing details and status of other suspects.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 11, 2026, 5:08 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WIFR

Resolution in the Chase Higgins Case

A significant legal milestone was reached Tuesday in the Winnebago County court system as Jason Bryant, 30, entered a guilty plea for his role in a fatal 2024 shooting. Bryant, a resident of Rockford, was convicted of first degree murder following negotiations with the State’s Attorney’s office. The presiding judge sentenced Bryant to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, factoring in a credit of 15 months for time already served in the Winnebago County Jail while awaiting trial.

Details of the 2024 Furniture Store Shooting

The charges against Bryant stem from an incident that occurred late on the night of August 24, 2024. Rockford Police responded to reports of a large gathering and gunfire at Gustafson’s Furniture and Mattress, located at 6651 E State St. Upon arrival just after 11 p.m., officers discovered 27 year old Chase Higgins of Machesney Park suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite emergency efforts, Higgins was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigations later revealed that the shooting was preceded by a physical altercation between Higgins and a group of individuals at the gathering.

Status of Co-Defendants and Ongoing Prosecution

While Bryant’s plea marks the first conviction in the case, three other individuals remain charged with murder in connection to the death of Higgins. The co-defendants include 21 year old Enrique Dozal, 27 year old Aarionte Mahone, and a 15 year old male whose identity has been withheld due to his minor status. The cases for the remaining suspects are still pending in the judicial system as prosecutors continue to reconstruct the specific roles each participant played in the fatal confrontation.