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Davenport Stabbing Suspect in Custody

Rock Island County Police Department

 

  A man suspected of fatally stabbing a woman in Davenport and injuring her husband on Monday has been captured and taken into custody at the Rock Island County Jail. 

Gary Fortune, 48, is accused of stabbing 61-year-old Betty Simmons and her 52-year-old husband, Jack, at their apartment in Davenport.  An arrest warrant was sent out for Fortune, who was found and arrested hours later at a bar in Reynolds, Illinois.  

William Glancey, Mercer County sheriff, says his officers received a call from a couple who found a man hiding on their property; shortly after, a fire was started at the residence.

"A quick investigation revealed that the two crimes were probably related and that the subject was believed to be Gary M. Fortune, who we discovered was wanted out of Iowa on a homicide investigation. A few hours we were able to locate Mr. Fortune at Jeronimo's Tavern," Sheriff Glancey says. 

Gary Fortune is in custody at Rock Island County Jail, where he'll have the chance to waive extradition proceedings for his return to Scott County. He is charged with the first-degree murder of Betty Simmons.  

Davenport Assistant Police Chief Don Schaeffer says Fortune knew the couple.

Community
Renata Sago is WMFE's general assignment reporter and occasional Morning Edition anchor. She covers everything from major political campaigns and unemployment to civil rights legislation and the performing arts for WMFE and NPR.