A Cortland man charged with shooting a woman in the face with a crossbow died Monday morning after apparently falling in his cell at the DeKalb County Jail.

Gary Aspengren, 64, was taken to Kishwaukee Community Hospital, 1 Kish Hospital Drive, at 3:40 a.m., said a DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office press release.

Aspengren was later transported to OSF St. Anthony Hospital, 5510 E. State St. in Rockford, and was pronounced dead at 7:20 a.m.

A preliminary report from the Winnebago County Coroner’s Office said Aspengren died from a head injury due to a fall.

The release said Aspengren was in a cell by himself at the time of the injury. DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott said his cell was not far from the booking area and deputies responded immediately. Scott said deputies heard a noise that “sounded like a bump against the wall” and began first aid as soon as Aspengren was located.

Aspengren was conscious and talking to officers while he was being transported to Kishwaukee Hospital, the release said.

Scott said Aspengren was able to spell his name and tell paramedics where he was. He said Aspengren said he had “never passed out like that before.”

Aspengren was being held on $650,000 bond on charges that he shot his “living companion” in the face with a crossbow on Sept. 28. Aspengren was charged with armed violence, a Class X Felony; aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 Felony; and two counts of aggravated battery, a Class 3 Felony, said a DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office press release. He was set to appear in court on Oct. 28, the release said.

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