Michael Wright died after being shot in the chest and crashing the vehicle he was driving Wednesday morning in the Burnside neighborhood.

Wright, 21, was driving in the 9300 block of South Greenwood Avenue when someone in a gray car pulled alongside and somebody inside opened fire about 10:35 a.m., authorities said.

Wright was struck multiple times in the chest, then crashed about two blocks away in the 9100 block of South Greenwood Avenue, authorities said.

He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was later pronounced dead, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

An autopsy confirmed Wright died of multiple gunshot wounds and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area South detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Robert Dixon / Photo from Chicago Police

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

A few weeks ago, Robert Dixon allegedly punched his girlfriend so hard that he knocked her tooth out.

When the same woman called Dixon to complain about the man who “disrespected” her last week, he beat the man to death with the help of a friend, Cook County prosecutors said.

Dixon promised his 21-year-old girlfriend that he would “check” Raphael Watts, when she told him about the argument they had on Sept. 4, said Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Novy said.

Dixon’s girlfriend lived in a home in Humboldt Park with her mother and Watts, who was the mother’s boyfriend, Novy said.

After the girlfriend called Dixon on the phone to vent, he and his friend, Antwon Williams, arrived at the home in the 2600 block of North Avenue, Novy said.

The girlfriend allegedly let the two purported Spanish Cobras into the house later that night.

Watts, 53, was lying on his bed watching television with his girlfriend when Dixon and Williams came in and allegedly started hitting Watts in the head and body.

Watts started vomiting blood and was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was placed on life support and later died, authorities said.

Dixon’s attorney contended that Watts was drunk and that the incident was more of a “mutual combat” situation.

When Williams, 33, appeared in bond court on Thursday, prosecutors mistakenly identified him as the boyfriend of the woman who had summoned them.

Novy clarified Friday that 26-year-old Dixon was the woman’s boyfriend.

Williams, a married father of two from Berwyn, was ordered held on $2 million bail Thursday.

On Friday, Judge Donald Panarese Jr. also ordered Dixon, of the 1000 block of North Drake Avenue, held on $2 million bail for Watts’ murder.

The judge also set a $50,000 bond for Dixon for the alleged Aug. 19 punching incident involving his girlfriend.

Williams, married father of two, was currently on parole for a 2009 vehicular hijacking.

Glenford S. Johnson was fatally shot in the Rogers Park neighborhood Thursday afternoon.

Johnson, 19, was shot about 12:30 p.m. in the 1600 block of West Juneway Terrace, authorities said.

Officers responded to a call of a person shot and found him unresponsive on the ground, police said.

Johnson, of the 1500 block of East 62nd Street, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

An autopsy confirmed Johnson died from a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area North detectives are investigating if the shooting was gang related.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Michael Bloodson Jr. was fatally shot in the Bronzeville neighborhood Saturday afternoon.

Bloodson, 17, was shot in the head in the 3900 block of South Prairie Avenue just before 3 p.m., authorities said.

Bloodson, of the 4600 block of South Drexel Avenue, died at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County less than an hour later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

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

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Charles Labon was fatally shot Sunday afternoon in the North Lawndale community.

Labon, 28, was walking in the 4100 block of West 16th Street when a gray minivan pulled up and somebody inside opened fire about 1:50 p.m. Sunday, authorities said.

Labon, of the 1900 block of South St. Louis Avenue, was shot in the chest and died at Mount Sinai Hospital at 3:20 p.m., authorities said.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

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

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Seven people were shot to death throughout Chicago last week.

Two of the fatal shootings happened over the weekend, when at least 14 other people were wounded by gunfire.

The most recent killing happened when 28-year-old Charles Labon was fatally shot while walking in the 4100 block of West 16th Street about 1:50 p.m. Sunday, police said.

Labon, of the 1900 block of South St. Louis Avenue, was shot in the chest and later died at Mount Sinai Hospital, authorities said.

On Saturday, 17-year-old Michael Bloodson Jr. was shot in the head in the 3900 block of South Prairie Avenue just before 3 p.m., authorities said.

Bloodson, of the 4600 block of South Drexel Avenue, died at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County less than an hour later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

On Thursday, 19-year-old Glenford S. Johnson was shot about 12:30 p.m. in the 1600 block of West Juneway Terrace, authorities said.

Johnson, of the 1500 block of East 62nd Street, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the medical examiner’s office.

On Wednesday, 21-year-old Michael Wright was driving in the 9300 block of South Greenwood Avenue when someone in a gray car pulled alongside and somebody inside opened fire about 10:35 a.m., authorities said.

Wright was struck multiple times in the chest, then crashed about two blocks away in the 9100 block of South Greenwood Avenue, authorities said. He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was later pronounced dead, according to the medical examiner’s office.

In the Portage Park community, 31-year-old Gabriel Menses was driving in the 5200 block of West Waveland Avenue when a blue SUV pulled alongside and somebody inside opened fire about 1 a.m. Wednesday, authorities said.

Menses, of the 4600 block of North Sayre Avenue in Norridge, was shot in the back and parked the car, authorities said. He died on the scene.

On Monday, 32-year-old Terry Cook was shot multiple times in the 5400 block of South Laflin Street in the Back of the Yards community about 3 p.m., authorities said.

Cook, of the 1400 block of West Garfield Boulevard, died later that day at Stroger Hospital, according to the medical examiner's office.

The killings started when 54-year-old Malcolm Warnsby was shot in the back in the 1100 block of North Harding Avenue in the Humboldt Park community about 3:25 a.m. Monday, authorities said.

Warnsby, of the 1300 block of North Kildare Avenue, died about three hours later at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Additionally, 20-year-old Martell Robinson, of the 300 block of West 35th Street in Steger, died Monday morning from injuries suffered when he was shot in the head in an alley in the 9700 block of South Forest Avenue in the Roseland neighborhood Saturday morning.

Nobody has been charged for any of the murders.

Overall, the medical examiner’s office has ruled at least 301 Chicago deaths in 2014 a homicide — including 12 people killed by police.

Chicago Police, which counts murders different, have ruled some of those homicides as involuntary manslaughter, justified self-defense or accidents.

Kashif Tillis was fatally shot Aug. 5 in the Englewood neighborhood. Reader "chiefy queen" posted this about him:

I love u so much and i have our son to remind me of you every day. Its very hard t on me but i will keep taking care your son the same way you did. May ur soul rest my lovely Angel

Christopher McGee was shot to death in the Uptown neighborhood Monday morning.

McGee, 22, was shot in the chest in the 4500 block of North Magnolia Avenue about 10:55 a.m., authorities said.

McGee, of the 4400 block of North Magnolia Avenue, died at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center at 12:06 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

BY KALEY FOWLER
Homicide Watch Chicago

Marcus McCarty was looking forward to his first day of high school, his family said.

But Marcus, 14, never got the chance to walk those halls after being shot Aug. 24 in the 1100 block of North Leclaire Avenue in the Austin community, authorities said. Marcus died about an hour later at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County.

Marcus’ mother, Sandra Bronson, described Marcus as a responsible teen who helped out around the house and did chores for his grandmother. He also enjoyed reading, especially the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series.

Marcus wasn't always quiet, though, and his mother said he loved to debate and hoped to be a lawyer.

“Once he started talking he’d never shut up,” Bronson said. “He loved to debate and always wanted to have the last word -- always. I wish that he had gotten a second chance to be the lawyer he wanted to become.”

Bronson said Marcus had a close relationship with his family, especially his older brother.

Marcus McCarty / Photo from Facebook

“They were five years apart but Marcus really looked up to his big brother,” Bronson said.

Authorities said two males approached Marcus on the street -- about a block from his Austin home -- and one of them shot him in the back just before 3 p.m. After the shooting, the pair got into a dark Infiniti and drove away, police said.

“I’ve seen it on the news so many times but I never expected something like this to happen to me,” Bronson said. “It’s been terribly hard. I loved him with all my heart. My heart goes out to everyone that has had to walk in these shoes.”

Nobody has been charged for the murder. Area North detectives are investigating.

Andrea Brown / Photo from Chicago Police

Andrea Brown has been charged with murder for allegedly beating another woman to death Sunday in the East Garfield Park neighborhood, police said.

Officers were called to a building in the 800 block of South California Avenue and found a 37-year-old woman dead in a hallway about 5 p.m. Sunday, police said.

Brown, 23, and the woman had previously gotten into a fight, police said.

The Cook County medical examiner's office has not released the name of the 37-year-old woman as of Tuesday afternoon.

Brown, of the 4000 block of North Sheridan Road, was charged with one count of first-degree murder and is scheduled to appear in bond court Tuesday.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Antonie Stewart, 51, was fatally shot Aug. 31 in what police called a "domestic related" shooting int he South Deering community. Reader "Sad in Chi" posted this about the shooting:

I don't understand the mentality of today's youth. They have no ability to think past the next 5 minutes. Ending lives and ruining families seems to be how some solve problems. Run, hide, lie and be prepared for the punishment cause CPD GONNA GET YOU.

Elmer Brown / Photo from Chicago Police

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

A 16-year-old Indiana boy was ordered held without bond Wednesday for his alleged role in the murder of an elderly retired Chicago Police sergeant.

While his mother sat next to him, Jeremy Mendez admitted to detectives that he forced himself into 73-year-old Elmer Brown’s home the night of the incident last spring, Cook County prosecutors said.

Jesse Kazmierski, of Hammond, Ind., was charged with the deadly home invasion earlier this month. He also is being held without bond and is awaiting trial at Cook County Jail.

Believing Brown and his wife had a lot of money in a safe, Mendez, Kazmierski and another cohort drove from Indiana to Chicago on March 10 hoping to get their hands on the loot, authorities said.

But they ended up leaving without the cash, instead fleeing with the Browns’ other property, including a handgun and a knife, Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Santini said.

Brown, who was shot once in the face at his home near East 115th Street and South Avenue G, died two weeks later.

The 38-year Chicago Police veteran’s wife had been lying face down on the ground when she heard a gunshot, Santini said.

When the 72-year-old woman looked up, she saw her husband lying in the hallway.

The assailant holding the weapon allegedly told Brown’s wife, “Keep your head down bitch or I’ll f––---- blow your head off too.”

Prosecutors said it was unclear who pulled the trigger because Mendez and Kazmierski, 18, made their way inside the residence with sweatshirts pulled tightly around their faces.

Jesse Kazmierski / Photo from Chicago Police

The couple was watching television when Mendez and Kazmierski rang the doorbell, Santini said.

“Help, we need help,” one of the two allegedly said.

Brown’s wife was opening the screen door when Kazmierski and Mendez pushed their way inside, knocking the elderly woman to the floor, Santini said.

They demanded to know where the safe was and Brown told them it was located upstairs, Santini said.

However, the suspect who ransacked the home ended up coming downstairs, telling the other, “I can’t get it, Let’s get out of here,” Santini said.

The trio fled back to Indiana after the crime, Santini said.

Once there Mendez, of Whiting, Ind., told someone what he had done, Santini said.

Mendez, like Kazmierski, is facing murder and home invasion charges. He has been as an adult.

The third offender has not yet been charged.

Brown’s wife, Mary Ann, told the Sun-Times in March that her spouse was “a wonderful father and husband.”

Andrea Brown / Photo from Chicago Police

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

A woman with a history of mental illness allegedly smothered a rival to death with her body after the two fought over money over the weekend.

Andrea Brown, who at 5-foot-3 and 235 pounds, is at least twice as big as her victim, authorities said.

Brown, 23, believed Tamica Riley owed her money and took Riley’s shoes as they argued Sunday in the 800 block of South California Avenue, prosecutors said.

Brown said she wouldn’t give 37-year-old Riley her shoes back until she paid the money she owed, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Elizabeth Novy said.

Brown then allegedly proceeded to knock Riley to the ground. Brown continued, placing her arm over Riley’s neck, Novy said. She then put her body over Riley’s face, preventing Riley from breathing, Novy said.

Brown had “pinned” Riley to the stairway, a police report said.

Witnesses who saw the struggle yelled and asked Brown to stop, Novy said.

Brown, who ran away from the scene, was arrested on the sidewalk in the 3100 block of West Polk Street, the police report said.

Brown takes anti-psychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, an assistant public defender said.

She was ordered held in lieu of $2 million bond for Riley’s murder.

Brown, who lists her address as the Howard Brown Health Center on Sheridan Road, has a previous drug conviction.

She also was found delinquent as a juvenile for aggravated battery to a police officer, Novy said.

Martell Robinson was fatally shot this month in a Roseland alley. Reader "Nikki" posted this about him:

Brother I Miss You. My Heart Cries For You!! GOD Give Us Strength!

Raphael Watts / Photo from GoFundMe.com

BY KALEY FOWLER
Homicide Watch Chicago

Raphael Watts loved to dance, and his daughter called him “one of the best steppers in the land.”

Watts, 53, died after being hit in the head during a Sept. 4 fight in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, authorities said.

Prosecutors claim Robert Dixon, 26, and Antwon Williams, 33, beat Watts inside a home in the 2600 block of North Avenue because Watts allegedly "disrespected" Dixon's girlfriend.

Watts, of the 1100 block of Kane Street in Aurora, died three days later at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy confirmed he died from blunt force head trauma from the altercation.

Watts’ daughter, Antoinette Smith, said her father "touched the lives of many people.”

He had three children, six grandchildren and 12 nieces and nephews.

Smith said her father loved sports, especially the Chicago Bears.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

Kawantis Montgomery was killed in a drive-by shooting Wednesday afternoon in the Englewood neighborhood.

Someone inside a blue vehicle opened fire at Montgomery in the 6100 block of South Carpenter Street at 3:48 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.

Montgomery, 19, of an unidentified home address, was shot in the chest and shoulder and died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn less than two hours later, authorities said.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

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

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Giovanni Galindo / Photo from Dignity Memorial

BY KALEY FOWLER
Homicide Watch Chicago

Giovanni Galindo always put his two daughters first, a friend said.

“He was kind-spirited and really loved his family,” said a friend, who is not being named because she is a minor. “He just wanted to support his two daughters.”

Galindo, 24, was shot to death this month in a residential area near Midway International Airport.

Police found Galindo, 24, shot in the head in the 6200 block of South Kilpatrick Avenue about 5:10 p.m. Sept. 5, authorities said.

Galindo, of the 10300 block of South Karlov Avenue in Oak Lawn, died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Galindo liked to play soccer and tell jokes, his friend said.

“He was just the type of person you wanted to be around,” Galindo’s friend said. “He was hanging around with the wrong people and he shouldn’t have gone the way he did.”

Nobody has been charged for the murder. Area Central detectives are investigating.

Scene where Justin Marcado was shot / Photo from NVP News video

Justin Marcado was killed in a Belmont Cragin neighborhood shooting that also left a teenage boy wounded Wednesday night.

The pair were standing on a sidewalk in the 5000 block of West Wrightwood Avenue when gunfire erupted about 10:50 p.m. Wedneaday, police said.

Marcado, 19, who lived on the block, was shot in the abdomen and died at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center at 1:04 a.m., authorities said.

A 17-year-old boy was shot in both legs and was also taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center for treatment, police said.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area North detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Luis Alfaro / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Luis Alfaro was ordered on $1 million bond Thursday for allegedly setting up a drug deal that left Giovanni Galindo dead this month near Midway International Airport.

On Sept. 5, Alfaro was contacted by an acquaintance, who told Alfaro he planned to rob a drug dealer, said Assistant State's Attorney Colleen Rogers.

The acquaintance asked Alfaro to set up a drug deal and promised to give Alfaro marijuana in return for setting up the robbery, Rogers said.

Alfaro called another acquaintance and set up a fake drug deal for later that day in the 6100 block of South Kilpatrick Avenue, Rogers said. During the meeting, somebody pulled out a gun and shot Galindo.

Galindo, 24, of the 10300 block of South Karlov Avenue in Oak Lawn, died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Galindo had two daughters and enjoyed playing soccer and telling jokes, according to a friend, who is not being named because she is a minor.

“He was just the type of person you wanted to be around,” Galindo’s friend said. “He was hanging around with the wrong people and he shouldn’t have gone the way he did.”

The robbers fled with the drugs and later gave Alfaro some of the cannabis as payment for setting up the deal, Rogers said.

Giovanni Galindo / Photo from Dignity Memorial

Alfaro, of the 4100 block of West 57th Place, told police he set up the drug deal knowing about the robbery plan and was charged with first-degree murder despite not being at the scene, authorities said.

Alfaro, 18, attends Latino Youth High School, Assistant Public Defender Lakshmi Jha said at a Thursday bond hearing. Alfaro has also worked replacing hardwood floors, at a car wash and driving a U-Haul truck.

He is currently on probation for a 2014 misdemeanor conviction, according to court records.

Judge Maria Kuriakos-Ciesil ordered Alfaro held on $1 million bond. He will be back in court Oct. 7.

The other suspects have not yet been charged, authorities said.

-- Contributing: Rummana Hussain

Charles Labon was fatally shot this month in the North Lawndale community. Reader "juiceboxgunn" posted this about him:

RIP Charlie... my prayers & condolences to your family, I've known you for over 21 yrs. U are with your mother now; rest on friend‼️