Terrance McNeal / Submitted photo

BY SUSAN DU
Homicide Watch Chicago

Terrance McNeal was a natural mechanic who loved cars and riding his motorcycle through the city.

McNeal, 23, was shot multiple times early Sunday during an altercation in the 400 block of North Leclaire Avenue, authorities said. He died about two hours later at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Shakina McDowell, the father of McNeal's 1-year-old daughter Kasey, said her boyfriend had gone to guy a gyro for the couple to share when he was shot.

"I got a call from his sister and she told me [McNeal] just got shot, and I was like 'stop playing,'" McDowell said. "It just didn't seem real. I just couldn't believe it. He was always so careful."

McDowell said coping with McNeal's violent death is more difficult every day.

"It's starting to seem real now. It's really starting to seem like he's not coming back," she said. "Everybody's just helping out each other in any way they can because everybody's so hurt."

McNeal purchased a motorcycle about three weeks ago and enjoyed riding it through the Austin neighborhood, said his mother, Tracy McNeal. He talked about going to school to become a mechanic so he could make something of his passion for cars.

She said her son was so deft with his hands that he could take anything apart and put it back together.

"He walked at 7 months. I remember at a year and a half, he wore size four shoes and he was 17 pounds, he was so tiny," his mother recalled.

McNeal attended St. Catherine of Siena - St. Lucy School, where he met McDowell. The pair both attended Austin Business and Entrepreneurship Academy and went together to junior and senior prom, where they were crowned king and queen, McDowell said.

Shakina McDowell and Terrance McNeal at prom / Submitted photo

She recalled when their eighth grade teacher attempted to give salsa lessons to a disinterested class and McNeal was the only one enthusiastic enough to go up and dance with her.

McDowell said she wants to remember McNeal as a father who played with his daughter.

"Every night he came in the house he would wake her up and try to play with her. I would always try to stop him because I would have to get up in the morning," she recalled. "If she was sleeping and she heard him coming in, she would wake up and there was no more going back to sleep. He really loved his daughter. Really did."

Thomas Santiago / Photo from Chicago Police

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

A motorist who Cook County prosecutors said intentionally ran over and killed a man with his SUV over the weekend was ordered held in lieu of $900,000 bond Wednesday.

Although prosecutors and police didn’t give a motive for Saturday morning’s incident in McKinley Park, police did say the victim — Antonio Mendez— was a gang member.

Initially, 20-year-old Thomas Santiago swerved his white SUV multiple times in an apparent effort to strike a Chevrolet Cavalier in which Mendez was a passenger as both vehicles traveled on Archer Avenue, Assistant State’s Attorney Glen Runk said.

Eventually the driver of the Cavalier pulled off the road and stopped near 1841 West 33rd Pl., Runk said.

Mendez, who was in the back seat, and his two friends then got out of the car, Runk said.

But Santiago accelerated toward the Cavalier, drove his SUV over the curb, sidewalk and grassy area before ramming into Mendez, Runk said.

Mendez, 24, of the 2200 block of West 35th Place, died at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County less than a half hour later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Santiago, of the 1100 block of West 32nd Street, allegedly fled and was later seen driving off the Stevenson Expressway so he could check the SUV for front-end damage.

He then got back in the car and stated that he had hit someone, Runk said.

Santiago, whose nickname “Scrappy,” was allegedly identified by witnesses as the driver who struck Mendez.

The defendant, a father of three, is a forklift operator at UPS, according to defense attorney Tod Urban.

He has crown tattoos with the number “33” on both of his lower legs, according to a police report.

William Bailey was fatally shot in a Washington Heights garage Sunday morning. Reader "Readyrell NawHead" posted this about him:

Rip Tee Tee gone but not forgotten another Falling Angel

JaJuan Porter / Photo from Facebook

BY SUSAN DU
Homicide Watch Chicago

Jajuan Porter turned 18 three weeks ago -- the day of his mother’s funeral.

Porter was fatally shot Tuesday night in the Chatham neighborhood and his family is now planning another funeral.

The tall, skinny, meek young man had been living with his sister in the Altgeld Gardens neighborhood since the day he found his mother unresponsive on the living room floor against a couch, family said. Porter slept on that same couch until the night he was shot.

Authorities said Porter was standing on a sidewalk in the 7900 block of South Vincennes Avenue when two men approached and opened fire. However, witnesses told family Porter was inside King Gyros when he was shot more than a dozen times while trying to escape the eatery.

Porter’s sister, Tyiesha Nall, said she still expects to see her baby brother sleeping on the couch when she comes downstairs in the morning.

“I haven’t even swallowed the pill of my mom’s death, and for me to get a phone call [Tuesday night] to hear, ‘You need to get to the hospital, your brother dead,’ it was like ‘Damn, I just saw him this morning,’” Nall said.

Family members said Porter’s father was absent and his mother struggled with drug addiction.

Police said Porter was a known gang member, but Nall insisted her younger brother wasn’t in a gang and only associated with friends in gangs.

“He used to cry after my momma a lot, and then when she passed, it was hard for him, but he didn’t turn to the street,” Nall said. “I will say he stayed outside more. But his goal was to go to school, get something done and to show momma that he’s making a better life for himself.”

As a child, Porter was an enthusiastic student, Nall said. As an eighth grader, he had won tickets to Wisconsin Dells after placing first in a spelling bee. He later attended Hirsch Metropolitan High School until he was caught smoking marijuana and transferred to an alternative school, Nall said.

Porter’s most recent plans were to enroll in Kennedy-King College’s GED program and enlist in the military, Nall said.

Kelley Porter, Jajuan's aunt, said she pressured him to get out of Chicago.

“I always told Jajuan, plain and simple, a black boy between the ages of 18 and 25 in the city of Chicago who doesn’t finish school, doesn’t go to college or join the service, you’re going to wind up two places, dead or in jail,” she said.

Jajuan Porter / Family photo

Kelley Porter told her nephew to distance himself from gangs and encouraged him to find acceptance from family instead of friends who urged him to post photos of himself holding up gang signs on Facebook.

“My nephew was trying to attach, trying to find somewhere to fit in. He just lost his mother, the love of his life,” Kelley Porter said. “You could still see fear and innocence in that boy’s eyes. He wasn’t an angry teenager, out to beat someone's ass every day. That wasn’t him.”

Nall described Jajuan Porter as a follower who stuck with his sisters. Porter and his sister enjoyed dancing and he was always the “life of the party” at family gatherings.

This Mother's Day, the family had planned a reunion outing to Six Flags Great America. It was their eldest brother's idea for the five siblings to spend more time together since he had recently moved out of state.

“We was forcing [Jajuan] to go because he wanted to stay home, but it was like, all of momma’s kids are going. We’re going to have fun, and we’re just going to go back to my brother’s house in Wisconsin and sit out there, celebrate Mother’s Day,” Nall said. “And now look what happened.”

After Jajuan Porter’s death, Nall struggled to explain to her six-year-old daughter why she would never see her uncle again. Jajuan Porter often played video games and colored with his younger cousins, taking them to the park and letting them climb over him.

Nall said despite the hardships of Jajuan Porter’s childhood, the happiest times of his life were when he could be with his family, when his mother was alive and he was able to stay with her.

“When I say he was loved by so many, I mean it was so, so many,” Nall said. “I don't want his death to be in vain like all these other deaths in Chicago. These kids need to grow up.”

Nobody has been charged in the shooting, which also left a 26-year-old man wounded. Area South detectives continue to investigate.

John Myles / Submitted photo

BY SUSAN DU
Homicide Watch Chicago

John Myles had many hobbies, but most of all he loved spending time with his teenage daughters.

Myles, 45, was shot multiple times April 19 while in a vehicle outside his apartment in the 1900 block of West Rosehill Drive in the Edgewater neighborhood, authorities said. He died 10 days later at Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston.

Myles' niece, Katherine Myles, described her uncle as a "very happy person" who made friends easily.

Katherine Myles said her uncle taught her how to drive.

"When he got a new Firebird, he let me drive it," Katherine Myles said. "I almost crashed into a tree, but it was OK. He let me drive it again. He loved me that much."

John Myles liked cars and always drove new vehicles in high school as his part of a contract he kept with his parents to maintain good grades, Katherine Myles said.

In addition to his fondness for cars, Myles had a variety of other hobbies, she said.

John Myles taught himself how to play the trumpet, and would occasionally play at family gatherings, his niece said. He was also an abstract painter and an avid fan of the musician Prince and the Chicago Bears.

John Myles has worked the past 15 years sizing children's shoes at Nordstrom in Oakbrook, where he watched his customers grow up, she said.

A young woman he had fitted for shoes since she was a child came into the store recently and invited him to her wedding, she said.

Myles recently married the mother of his two teenage daughters.

"He was a good father. Anytime he got a chance to be with his daughters he would," Katherine Myles said.

John Myles' long-term goals were to sell his condo, buy a house and move his family in so they could have more space to be together. He wanted to send his daughters off to college and travel with his wife.

No one has been charged in his murder. Area North detectives are investigating.

William Lomax was killed in a Friday morning drive-by shooting in the Calumet Heights neighborhood.

Lomax, 22, was a passenger in a car traveling north in the 9300 block of South Stony Island Avenue when a black car pulled up alongside and somebody inside opened fire about 11:40 a.m., authorities said.

Lomax, of the 10000 block of South Yates Avenue, was driven to a restaurant in the 8800 block of South Stony Island Avenue, authorities said.

Emergency crews took him from there to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where he later died less than an hour later, authorities said.

Nobody has been charged in the murder.

Area South detectives are investigating if the shooting is gang related.

Summer Moore / Family photo

BY BECKY SCHLIKERMAN
Chicago Sun-Times

Summer Moore was planning to celebrate Mother’s Day with a family barbecue.

Friday night, just before 8 p.m., the 37-year-old mother of three was shot and killed in the 11400 block of South Aberdeen Street, apparently by a bullet meant for someone else, according to the police and relatives.

“We really need to end this gun violence in the city of Chicago because innocent people are getting shot,” said Moore’s cousin, Chant’e Moore.

Moore, her cousin and other relatives had gathered at an aunt’s home in Morgan Park to celebrate a teenage relative’s prom send-off. After the party, people were cleaning up, said Moore’s aunt Aretha Cummings, who lives in the home where the party took place.

Summer Moore and Chant’e Moore were still in the yard, about to leave, Chant’e Moore said.

“We heard gunshots, and we started to run,” said Chant’e Moore, 36. “We all was running towards the house. People were falling over one another.”

Then, Summer Moore “just hit the ground,” her cousin said, “We thought she had just tripped or something.”

Summer Moore, of the 3100 block of West Marquette Road, was shot in the chest. She was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she was pronounced dead.

“It’s not believed she was the intended target in this incident,” Officer Jose Estrada. “However, we still don’t have much more detail on who exactly that target was or what exactly happened.”

No one was in custody Saturday.

Police investigate the murder of Summer Moore / Photo by Alex Wroblewski

Cummings, Moore’s aunt, urged the shooter to come forward.

“It’s a tragedy. It’s a mistake” the 46-year-old said.

Summer Moore was a single mom to three kids — two teenagers and an adult son. She attended Malcom X College, where she was studying to be a surgical techniciann.

“She was a greatest loving mother, not just to her children but to everyone’s children,” Chant’e Moore said.

Moore attempted to run away but was struck in the chest, authorities said.

Moore, of the 3100 block of West Marquette Road, died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn at 8:38 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Nobody has been charged in the murder.

Area South detectives are investigating.

Cesar Nieves was shot to death early Saturday in the Little Village neighborhood.

Emergency personnel found the 34-year-old man in the 4100 block of West 28th Street at 3:24 a.m., police said.

Nieves, of the 2800 block of South Kedvale Avenue, was dead at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

More than a dozen people gathered on the corners of West 28th Street and South Kedvale Avenue as police investigated.

The man’s uncovered body could be seen lying face up on the sidewalk on the southwest corner -- adjacent to a boarded up single-story building tagged with gang graffiti.

As police investigated, several people told officers they knew the man and the hat “he wears every day” was laying next to his body.

Nobody has been charged in the murder.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Xavier Tripp was shot and killed Saturday afternoon in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.

Tripp, 25, was walking on a sidewalk in the 4100 block of West Adams Street when a vehicle pulled up and at least one person got out about 1:35 p.m., according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

At least one person in the group opened fire and Tripp was shot multiple times, authorities said. The group then got back in the vehicle, which drove away, police said.

Tripp, of the 1500 block of North Long Avenue, died at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County at 2:15 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area North detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Vaughn Holeman / Photo from Facebook

BY SUSAN DU
Homicide Watch Chicago

Gunshots rang out Mother's Day afternoon in the West Pullman neighborhood and the children on the block began shouting that 15-year-old Vaughn Holeman had been shot.

Vaughn was outside in the 200 block of West 116th Street when gunman in a passing vehicle opened fire about 3:40 p.m., authorities said.

Tiffany Woodley, a neighborhood mom whose children attended Haley Elementary Academy with Vaughn, said she was sitting on her porch when she saw a white car drive past her house.

When Vaughn fell, Woodley ran to the corner as other children gathered around and held Vaughn in her arms and applied pressure to his wounds to try and stop the bleeding, she said.

Vaughn, of the 400 block of West 115th Street, was shot in the chest and died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn less than an hour later, authorities said.

"He never said anything," Woodley said. "It was traumatic, it really was. It was trying."

Woodley said she knew Vaughn as an extension of her own children -- the outgoing jokester one in their group. She described Vaughn as a pleasant young man who was well known and well liked in their West Pullman community.

Area South detectives are questioning a juvenile in connection with the murder, police said.

"It's just really sad that this situation was allowed to grow to this level. It's like what is there to do to stop this? What is the answer?" Woodley said.

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Six men and two women were fatally shot in Chicago last week.

Four of the murders happened over the weekend, when 18 other people were wounded by gunfire, authorities said.

The most recent murder happened when 15-year-old Vaughn Holeman was fatally shot about 3:40 p.m. Sunday in the 200 block of West 116th Street, authorities said. Detectives are questioning a juvenile for Holeman's murder, police said.

Holeman, of the 400 block of West 115th Street, died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn less than an hour later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

On Saturday, 25-year-old Xavier Tripp was walking on a sidewalk in the 4100 block of West Adams Street when a vehicle pulled up and at least one person got out and shot him about 1:35 p.m., authorities said.

Tripp, of the 1500 block of North Long Avenue, died at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, according to the medical examiner’s office.

In the Little Village neighborhood, 34-year-old Cesar Nieves was fatally shot in the 4100 block of West 28th Street at 3:24 a.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Nieves, of the 2800 block of South Kedvale Avenue, was dead at the scene, according to the medical examiner’s office.

On Friday, Summer Moore was shot and killed in the 11400 block of South Aberdeen Street, apparently by a bullet meant for someone else, according to the police and relatives.

The 37-year-old mother of three and other relatives had gathered at an aunt’s home in Morgan Park to celebrate a teenage relative’s prom send-off, family said. Moore, of the 3100 block of West Marquette Road, was shot in the chest and died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, authorities said.

In the Calumet Heights neighborhood, 22-year-old William Lomax was fatally shot while traveling in a car in the 9300 block of South Stony Island Avenue about 11:40 a.m. Friday, authorities said.

Lomax, of the 10000 block of South Yates Avenue, was driven to a restaurant in the 8800 block of South Stony Island Avenue, where emergency crews took him to Stroger Hospital, authorities said. He died about an hour later.

On Tuesday, 18-year-old Jajuan Porter was shot dead in the 7900 block of South Vincennes Avenue, authorities said. A 26-year-old man was also wounded in the shooting.

Family said Porter was inside a restaurant when he was shot. Emergency crews found Porter, of the 600 block of East 131 Street, dead on the street, authorities said.

On the West Side, 20-year-old Chasteddy Blocker was shot in the 1500 block of South Central Park Avenue about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said. A 34-year-old man was also wounded in the shooting.

Blocker, 20, who lived on the block, was shot in the back and died at Mount Sinai Hospital a short time later, authorities said.

The killings started about 7:30 p.m. Monday when 29-year-old Gerlad Calhoun and a 35-year-old man were shot while riding in a vehicle near South Morgan and West 59th streets, authorities said.

Calhoun, of the 700 block of West 59th Street, died from a gunshot wound to the chest less than an hour later at Stroger Hospital, authorities said.

Nobody has been charged in any of the murders.

Overall, the medical examiner’s office has ruled at least 125 Chicago deaths in 2014 a homicide — including six people killed by police.

Additionally, the state’s attorney’s office filed first-degree murder charges against a speeding motorist who killed an off-duty police officer while trying to flee police even though the autopsy ruled the death an accident.

Chicago Police, which counts murders different, have ruled at least eight of the homicides as involuntary manslaughter, justified self-defense or accidents.

Sketch from Chicago Police

Police have released a sketch of a man suspected of fatally shooting a 66-year-old Gold Coast shop owner during an apparent robbery in March in the Gage Park neighborhood.

Herbert Goode, owner of Silver Cloud Gallery at 20 W. Ohio St., was shot in the chest in what appeared to be a robbery about 2 p.m. March 1 in the 2300 block of West 57th Street, authorities said.

Goode was standing near the driver's side door of his vehicle when the gunman approached and a struggle ensued, according to Area Central detectives.

The gunman then shot Goode and fled, police said.

Authorities describe the gunman as a 20- to 30-year-old black man with a medium complexion. He is about 6-feet tall, has an average build, low haircut and a tattoo on the right side of his neck that may have the word “PAM” with a ribbon underneath.

Police consider the shooter armed and dangerous, and ask anyone who sees him to call 911.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (312) 747-8380.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Jajuan Porter was fatally shot last week in the Chatham neighborhood. Reader "Karmen" posted this about the shooting:

So sorry for your loss; our sons are being taken by the hands of cops and gangs. Innocent bystanders of ignorance. Our culture have to do better than this. When and where did our culture begin to see each other as worthless or a threat to each other. The sheer hate speak volumes, "over a dozen bullets to this kids body," do you comprehend the magnitude of hate in this sensless [sic] act. IS THE CODE OF SILENCE WORTH IT? How many more of our children? These fools who are committing these shootings don't have nothing to look forward to in life and do not care about yours, mine, women, children, or the elderly. When you catch them, send them to war torn countries. Don't put them in jail, send them all where they truly belong. In a uncivilized country. All Black American boys are not violent nor follow this way of thinking. LORD, WE NEED YOU NOW!

Vaughn Holeman / Photo from Facebook

BY MICHAEL LANSU AND SUSAN DU
Homicide Watch Chicago

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with murder in the shooting death of Vaughn Holeman, 15, on Mother’s Day in the West Pullman community.

Vaughn and the alleged gunman were outside in the 200 block of West 116th Street when Vaughn pointed out a passing vehicle about 3:40 p.m. Sunday, authorities said.

The 15-year-old with the gun then fired multiple shots at the vehicle, and on of those shots struck Vaughn, authorities said.

The alleged shooter has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm and possession of ammunition without a valid Firearm Owner’s Identification Card. Police were not releasing the boy’s name because of his age.

Tiffany Woodley, a neighborhood mom whose children attended Haley Elementary Academy with Vaughn, said she was sitting on her porch when she saw a white car drive past her house.

When Vaughn fell, Woodley ran to the corner as other children gathered around and she held Vaughn in her arms and applied pressure to his wounds to try to stop the bleeding, she said.

Vaughn, of the 400 block of West 115th Street, was shot in the chest and died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn less than an hour later, authorities said.

“He never said anything,” Woodley said. “It was traumatic, it really was. It was trying.”

Woodley said she knew Vaughn as an extension of her own children — the outgoing jokester in their group. She described Vaughn as a pleasant young man who was well-known and well-liked in their West Pullman community.

Area South detectives were investigating whether the shooting was gang related, authorities said.

“It’s just really sad that this situation was allowed to grow to this level. It’s like: What is there to do to stop this? What is the answer?” Woodley said.

BY JESSICA KOSCIELNIAK
Chicago Sun-Times

A wounded Alex Garrido climbed into the driver's seat of his brother's Lincoln Navigator and attempted to take his bleeding relatives to a hospital after a flurry of bullets entered the SUV Easter Sunday in the Little Village neighborhood.

Garrido, 23, said he was in the backseat with two young children when the gunfire erupted and he was shot in the hand. His brother, Juan Ocon, was shot in the head while driving and his cousin, Timmy Bermudez, was struck in the chest as he sat in the front seat, authorities said.

After the shooting, Garrido climbed into the driver's seat, sat on his bleeding brother and drove off to find a hospital as the children cried in the back seat.

Alex Garrido shows his graze wounds on his hands while standing with his brother Thursday May 24, 2014. | Jessica Koscielniak / Sun-Times

Ocon, 32, of the 3400 block of West 59th Place, died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. Bermudez, 19, of the 900 block of West 19th Place, died at Mount Sinai Hospital about 20 minutes after being shot.

Police said the series of events that led to the double murder started about 1 p.m. April 21 when the family spotted the stolen orange Hummer of a relative on vacation. Ocon followed the Hummer to the 2800 block of South Sawyer Avenue, where two gunmen exited the vehicle and opened fire on the Navigator.

Garrido drove to South Kedzie Avenue and West 24th Street, where emergency crews responded.

David Ocon shoes off his tattoo for his son, Timmy Bermudez, outside Ocon's mother's home, Tuesday April 22, 2014. | Jessica Koscielniak / Sun-Times

"What are the coincidence in a big city running into a truck that has been stolen?" said Rosalio Ocon, Bermudez' father and Ocon's brother.

Family members said Ocon and Bermudez were not involved with gangs or drugs.

“Innocent blood always gets shed,” Garrido said.

The shooting happened beneath a police security camera, but nobody has been charged for the murders.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

David Ocon adjusts his hat before going into the wake for his nephew, Timmy Bermudez, Thursday April 24, 2014. | Jessica Kosceilniak / Sun-Times

David Ocon remembers his son, Timmy Bermudez, outside his wake, Thursday April 24, 2014. | Jessica Kosceilniak / Sun-Times

Vaughn Holeman / Photo from Facebook

BY SUSAN DU
Homicide Watch Chicago

Morgan Park High School football player Demarco Washington, 15, was denied bond Tuesday for allegedly fatally shooting 15-year-old friend Vaughn Holeman on Mother's Day in the West Pullman community.

Demarco and Vaughn were standing together near the corner of West 116th Street and South Princeton Avenue Sunday afternoon when a white car drove past about 3:40 p.m. Sunday, Assistant State’s Attorney Alexandra Molesky said.

Vaughn began arguing with the car’s occupants while motioning for Demarco, Molesky said. Demarco ran up to the vehicle, pulled a gun from his pocket and fired several shots in the direction of the car.

At least one bullet struck Vaughn, and he collapsed while trying to run, Molesky said. Witnesses reported no shots fired from the white car, Molesky said.

Tiffany Woodley, a neighborhood mom whose children attended Haley Elementary Academy with Vaughn, said she was sitting on her porch when she saw a white car drive past her house.

When Vaughn fell, Woodley ran to the corner as other children gathered around, held him in her arms and applied pressure to his wounds to try and stop the bleeding, she said.

Vaughn, of the 400 block of West 115th Street, was shot in the chest and died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn less than an hour later, authorities said.

“It’s just really sad that this situation was allowed to grow to this level. It’s like what is there to do to stop this? What is the answer?” Woodley said.

Police arrested Demarco about a block away and found eight bullets in his shoe. He was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm and possession of ammunition without a valid FOID card.

Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. said to Demarco, "You have no judgment" then ordered him held without bond Tuesday afternoon.

Demarco is a freshman at Morgan Park High School, where he is on the football team, his public defender said. He has lived his entire life in Chicago and is a member of the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.

He had two previous juvenile felony adjudications and an unsatisfactory probation, according to court records.

Demarco is next scheduled to appear in court June 2.

Vaughn Holeman was fatally shot Sunday afternoon in the West Pullman neighborhood. Reader "Shannin" posted this about him:

Rest in heaven Lil Von a.k.a Douchie love u tell your dad and granny that everyone said hi u in a better place now u can relax in heaven unfortunately we gotta b careful down here its just sad bcuz u gone so soon and u still a baby but God makes no mistakes he called his Angel home so rest baby u ok now

Nicholas Ramirez

BY LEEANN SHELTON
Sun-Times Media

A 17-year-old has been charged with murder for allegedly causing a vehicle crash and fatally shooting Chicago White Sox vendor Nicholas Ramirez last month in the West Town neighborhood.

The teen, whose name was not released because of his age, was charged with one count of first-degree murder and is expected to appear for a bond hearing Wednesday, police said.

Ramirez, 19, was stopped at a red light when the suspect intentionally accelerated into Ramirez’ vehicle in the 400 block of North Ashland Avenue about 2:30 a.m. April 19, authorities said. Police had said the two vehicles were involved in an earlier chase south on Ashland Avenue.

After the crash, the suspect got out of his car and shot Ramirez, authorities said.

Ramirez, of the 3900 block of South Rockwell Street, tried to drive away but hit two other vehicles in the 1600 block of West Hubbard before crashing into a concrete median, where he was found shot dead, authorities said.

An autopsy found Ramirez died of multiple gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.

Ramirez, a Chicago White Sox vendor, loved baseball and hoped to be an emergency medical technician, relatives said.

His uncle, Oscar Mendoza, described him as a “warmhearted” young man who “treated people well.”

“He was easygoing and always laughed things off,” Mendoza said. “People were drawn to his happiness.”

An unoccupied vehicle that may have been involved in the chase was later found in an alley in the 1400 block of West Grand Avenue, police said.

Police said the shooting could be gang related, but Ramirez' family said he was not involved in any gang activity. Ramirez had no felony convictions but was sentenced to 10 hours of community service for drinking on the public way in April 2013, according to court records.

-- Contributing: Emily Brosious

Victoria A. McManus was strangled by her boyfriend during a domestic dispute early Wednesday in her Humboldt Park home, police said.

McManus, 26, was strangled about 12:40 a.m. at her home in the 1200 block of North Rockwell Street, authorities said.

She was pronounced dead at the scene 15 minutes later, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. An autopsy confirmed she died of strangulation and her death was ruled a homicide.

Police said the woman’s 31-year-old boyfriend was arrested at the scene and charges are pending.

Area North detectives are investigating.

Summer Moore was fatally shot Sunday afternoon in the Morgan Park neighborhood. Reader "Kita" posted this about the shooting:

First off it was my daughter prom send off and my moms house,That was my cousin who life was taken by some idiot trying to shoot someone else and those bullets was not intended for my family!! Neither one of us is in a gang and she was a innocent victim!!! Whatever was said in the time of grief at the hospital has nothing to do with her being in a gang! Those was ppl dealing with a sad tragedy that had just took place, She was a wonderful,beautiful,loving Mother,sister,cousin,friend inside and out and she didn't deserve this! I pray for your ignorance because clearly you don't know any better,Everybody ain't gangbangers and even if she did know ppl who was it don't make her a target