Town of Beloit man accused of shooting thief released from jail; victim sought
JANESVILLE—A town of Beloit man accused of shooting a reported thief has been released from jail while authorities investigate a potential self-defense claim.
Police continue to search for the man they think was shot, town of Beloit Police Chief Steve Kopp said.
Jacob Davenport, 31, of 1973 Shore Drive in the town of Beloit was arrested Friday on a charge of recklessly endangering safety. He was released Monday from jail while police and the Rock County District Attorney’s Office continue to investigate.
Davenport is not charged with a crime at this time.
“There is a potential self-defense claim we are investigating,” District Attorney David O’Leary wrote in an email to The Gazette. “(The) alleged victim has not been located. We will make a final decision when we have all the facts.”
Davenport told police he heard somebody open the door of his van in his driveway at about 5 a.m. Friday, town of Beloit Police Chief Steve Kopp said.
When he looked outside, Davenport saw a man stealing items from the van.
Davenport told police he fired four shots as the man got into a vehicle driven by a woman. He thinks one of the bullets hit the man in the chest “based on the reaction of the suspect,” and that the other three hit the car, Kopp said.
Davenport was arrested for “indiscriminately” firing rounds at the fleeing vehicle, Kopp said.
Police are searching for the man they think Davenport shot. Police think the man is Eleazar Tate, 27, no fixed address, Kopp said.
