One arrested after report of gun at Halloween party

An 18-year-old from Moline has been arrested after Moline Police responded to a report of a person with a gun at a large Halloween party Saturday night.

A news release from the Moline Police Department said officers were dispatched to a home in the 1500 block of 19th Avenue on Oct. 31 at about 9:14 p.m. after a caller reported underage drinking and a person with a gun. When they arrived, they found about 100 to 150 teenagers gathered in the backyard. Numerous attendees fled as officers approached.

A police officer tried to detain a person carrying a backpack at the scene. Brando Hodges, 18 of Moline, intervened and tried to take the backpack while the other person fled, according to the criminal complaint. Officers secured the backpack and took Hodges into custody. A 9mm semiautomatic handgun with an extended magazine was located inside of the backpack. A second weapon, a realistic-looking replica Glock BB gun, was also recovered from Hodges when he was searched.

Hodges was arrested for aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and resisting a peace officer. He was taken to the Rock Island County Jail, where he was released on pretrial release. He has a pretrial conference on Dec. 2, according to court records.

“The shootings near Illinois Wesleyan and Indiana University this weekend are tragic reminders of how quickly a celebration can turn into a tragedy,” said Moline Police Chief Darren Gault. “Finding a handgun at a gathering of 100 to 150 teenagers here in Moline is deeply concerning. I appreciate our officers’ response and the caller who alerted us. We had a terrible tragedy and loss of life at a party in May 2024 and we do not want to ever repeat this gun violence. We need parents and young people to take this risk seriously. If you see a gun or hear a threat, get to safety and call 911 immediately.”

The investigation is still considered active. Anyone with information about the incident should contact the Moline Police Department at (309) 797-0401 or Crime Stoppers of the Quad Cities at (309) 762-9500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through the P3 Tips mobile app.

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