Valentino Taylor was shot to death in the Roseland community in April. Reader "Shericca" posted this about him:

Thank u very much we really miss him a lot Valentino was a great big brother and [father]/husband gone but never forgotten love u bro

The June death of a 2-year-old West Side boy has been ruled a homicide after toxicology results revealed the child died from methadone toxicity.

Mickel Brown’s stepfather put him down for a nap on June 18 and later noticed the boy wasn’t breathing, authorities said.

Mickel, of the 1400 block of South Kedvale Avenue, died later that day at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

According to autopsy results delayed for completion of toxicology tests, Mickel died of methadone toxicity and his death has been ruled a homicide, according to a spokesman for the medical examiner’s office.

Methadone is a synthetic opioid, used as a painkiller and for treatment of narcotic addiction.

DCFS launched an investigation into allegations of abuse and neglect at the time of Mickel’s death, authorities said. An agency spokeswoman could not provide an immediate update on the investigation Wednesday afternoon.

Chicago Police could not immediately say whether anyone has been charged in connection with the death.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Carl Smith / Photo from Chicago Police

BY JORDAN OWEN
Sun-Times Media

A man who had been shot was able to identify his assailant -- and provide police with man’s phone number -- before dying last summer, according to prosecutors.

Now, 29-year-old Carl Smith is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the June 23 death of 40-year-old Alfred Barnett.

Barnett was sitting in the driver’s seat of a car selling drugs in the 1600 block of West 69th Street just after 11 p.m. when Smith walked up to the car and shot him once in the groin, prosecutors said in court Thursday.

Barnett put the car in drive, but drove only about three blocks before crashing, prosecutors said. He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical in Oak Lawn, where he underwent surgery.

Witnesses identified Smith to police as the shooter, prosecutors said.

Once Barnett was out of surgery, he identified Smith in a photo array, telling police he knew his nickname and provided Smith’s phone number, prosecutors said.

Barnett, of the 7200 block of South Rockwell Street, died four days later, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office, which said he also went by the name Kenneth Martin.

An autopsy confirmed Barnett died from a gunshot to the groin and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Smith was found hiding under a bed at his girlfriend’s house, prosecutors said.

On Thursday, Judge James Brown ordered Smith held without bond.

Shandel Adams was shot to death early Tuesday in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. Reader Monique Thomas posted this about him:

Shandel I love you and will always miss you. Thank you for always being there for me when I needed you. I pray we get closure. I love you

Raymond Murray was shot to death in the South Shore neighborhood early Thursday.

Murray, 25, was found lying in the street in the 7800 block of South Jeffery Boulevard with a gunshot wound to his chest about 3:20 a.m., authorities said.

Murray, of the 7600 block of North Jeffery Boulevard, died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area South detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Tamica Riley was smothered to death Sept. 14 in the 800 block of South California Avenue in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.

Prosecutors claim Andrea Brown, 23, believed Riley owed her money and took Riley’s shoes. Brown said she wouldn’t give 37-year-old Riley her shoes back until she paid the money she owed, prosecutors said.

Brown then allegedly knocked Riley to the ground, placed her arm over Riley’s neck, then put her body over Riley’s face, preventing Riley from breathing, prosecutors said.

Riley died at the scene. Brown, who ran away from the scene, was arrested on the sidewalk in the 3100 block of West Polk Street and was ordered held in lieu of $2 million bond, authorities said.

Louis Wherry / Photo from DNAinfo Chicago

BY TINA GASSETT

[Editors Note: Louis C. Wherry was fatally shot Oct. 4, 2013 in the Austin community. Friend Tina Gassett wrote the following memorial for the one year anniversary of his death.]

Louis C. Wherry was by far one of the most wonderful people who ever came into my life.

There is not one word I can use to describe him. He was funny, hard working, a devoted father, the best friend a girl could have, kind-hearted, loyal, trustworthy and driven.

When I met Louis he was a truck driver who delivered to my place of work in Kentucky.

He made regular deliveries over the years to the plant where I worked, and he developed a friendship with the teams working in the receiving department -- eventually buying them lunch for unloading the trucks.

I remember one time he bought my crew Portillo's Italian Beef from Chicago. It was the first time any of us had Italian beef, and Louis brought so much that we ate it for days.

Before Louis left the plant he would often shake the hand of the person who handed him the paperwork and say "thank you." He left a lasting impression on all the workers he came in contact with and everyone was glad to see him return.

I became close friends with Louis in 2011. We had talked about wanting to start his own trucking company -- and I knew he was intelligent and had what it took to create a successful company.

Louis was really good at multitasking, and would calmly drive from Chicago, be in touch with drivers and deal with any problems that arose.

Even though he was the "boss" he treated his drivers like they were his brothers. If there were shortages on his driver's paychecks, he would give them the money to make up the difference. He always tried to do what was right.

Louis' eyes lit up every time he talked about starting his own company, and when he finally started the business he worked day and night to get it off the ground.

Louis was about to achieve his dream, and others hoped to achieve their dreams through the success of his business. I hoped to retire early from my current job, and he hoped to help me make that happen. Others dreamed of just getting a job.

Louis worked a lot -- too much if you ask me. He hoped that once his businesses started to hold its own he could get off the road and spend more time living a normal life. He said he wanted to make it up to his kids for all of the important times in their life he missed because he was on the road.

He often told me, "I want to get my kids up and grown, then I am going to live for me."

Louis was about to achieve his goal and had drivers ready for the Nov. 1, 2013, launch of his new business, Wherry Transportation Services. He was fatally shot Oct. 4, 2013, in Austin community.

Family told DNAinfo Chicago he was shot trying to defend his son against a neighborhood bully.

He was so selfless that he wanted to help make others' dreams come true when the business got off the ground, not just his own. He was unique. I have yet to meet someone as selfless and loyal as him.

He was only 36 years old, but he seemed so much more mature than most 36 year olds. He is the only man I have ever met who cared as much about my happiness as his own.

Louis had interests beyond just starting his business, and he liked a good meal. I often fixed BBQ baby back ribs for him because he loved the way I fixed them. He also loved lemonade. He drank more lemonade than anyone I knew. Now, any time I see a lemon or lemonade I think of him.

In 2013, Louis came to Russell Springs, Ky. to make a delivery the day after his birthday. I fixed him ribs, and he requested banana pudding for dessert. He was so thankful for the meal that he didn't ask for a birthday gift. I will never forget that.

Like me, Louis loved music. We would often quiz each other about who signs songs. We both have competitive personalities, so neither of us wanted to be wrong and would laugh at each other if one of us got the artist wrong.

Photo from DNAinfo Chicago

Louis had a great sense of humor, and if you heard him laugh then you would start laughing too. He had an infectious personality.

When he was with you, he always made sure you were taken care of. If you needed anything at all he made sure you had it. He was a true gem. He was so loving and caring. He was a big guy with an even bigger heart.

His death is such a major loss for me. He meant so much to me and coming to Chicago doesn't feel right without him taking me to Leona's for Italian or brining me Uncle Remus' chicken when I didn't feel like going out.

He was a great friend to me who I will never forget and will love forever.

When God made Louis, he made his very best.

They don't make them like Louis anymore. He lived his life as an example of what a true man should be. I want him to never be forgotten and to have his memory honored because he was a wonderful human being.

Tony McIntosh was fatally shot in the South Deering neighborhood Friday night.

McIntosh, 20, was outside in the 10600 block of South Yates Avenue when someone walked up and shot him in the head about 9:20 p.m. Friday, authorities said.

McIntosh, who lived on the block, was taken to Advocate Trinity Hospital, where he was declared dead at 9:50 p.m. Friday, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area South detectives are investigating.

Anthony Davis / Photo from Cook County Sheriff's office

BY LEEANN SHELTON
Chicago Sun-Times

A man accused of fatally shooting a 16-year-old boy who prosecutors say stole money and drugs from him was ordered held without bond Saturday.

Anthony Davis, 33, of the 4300 block of West Flournoy Street, is charged with first-degree murder in the Sept. 20 shooting death of 16-year-old Cortez Rivers in the West Garfield Park neighborhoood, authorities said.

According to prosecutors, the teen worked under Davis in the narcotics trade and took drugs and cash from the suspect.

Davis went to the boy’s home to confront him, and the teen eventually led him to the alley where he had hidden the items, prosecutors said. Davis found the drugs, but when he realized some of the money was missing, he allegedly dragged the teen out of the car by his hair and shot him in a vacant lot nearby.

Other witnesses saw the confrontation and the shooting, prosecutors claim.

Rivers, of the 5200 block of West Quincy Street, was found injured in the 4000 block of West Jackson Boulevard about 4:15 a.m. Sept. 20. He was taken to Loretto Hospital, where he died less than an hour later, authorities said.

Davis was ordered held without bond and will next appear in court Oct. 6.

He has a previous felony conviction for aggravated vehicular hijacking, and is also currently facing unlawful use of a weapon charges in a separate case, prosecutors said.

Robert Smith / Photo from Chicago Police

BY LEEANN SHELTON
Chicago Sun-Times

Robert Smith was ordered held without bond Saturday after prosecutors said he fatally shooting 16-year-old Camerion Blair Tuesday in the South Shore neighborhood.

Smith, 21, of the 7600 block of South Coles Avenue, is charged with first-degree murder for the Sept. 30, authorities said.

Blair was in the 2600 block of East 73rd Street when he was shot in the back and buttocks about 6:30 p.m., authorities said.

Prosecutors said the two are members of opposing gang factions, and that surveillance video captured Smith and another suspect both approaching and fleeing the scene of the shooting.

Blair, of the 7300 block of South Shore Drive, died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Smith was arrested after a search of his home, prosecutors said. He was positively identified in a photo lineup and allegedly admitted to the shooting.

He was ordered held without bond at a hearing Saturday and will next appear in court Oct. 6.

Samuel Higgins / Photo from Chicago Police

BY LEEANN SHELTON
Chicago Sun-Times

A hairdresser accused of standing as a lookout while another man robbed and beat an 88-year-old man to death was ordered held in lieu of $1 million bond Saturday.

Prosecutors said Samuel Higgins and his cohort were looking for someone to rob when they spotted Arthur Hearn waiting for the bus to go to work on the morning of Sept. 25.

Higgins, 29, allegedly acted as a lookout while the other suspect hit the elderly man in the head, knocking him to the ground in the 8500 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue, prosecutors said. Witnesses also saw the other suspect kneel over the injured man and take something from his pocket.

Prosecutors said Higgins yelled at a passer-by who tried to help Hearn. The passer-by flagged down a patrol car, and the suspects fled, authorities said.

Hearn, of the 8400 block of South Langley Avenue, died as a result of his head injuries, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Higgins, of the 900 block of East 84th Street, was arrested on Thursday.

He was allegedly captured on surveillance camera and identified by one of the officers who was flagged down.

Higgins, who appeared in court in a short fur cape, T-shirt and blue jeans, is facing murder and robbery charges.

He has six previous felony convictions, including prostitution, according to court records.

Tony McIntosh / Submitted photo

BY ASHLEE REZIN
Sun-Times Media

A 20-year-old man was gunned down in front of his mom and his brother Friday night on the Far South Side, relatives say.

Tony McIntosh was smoking cigarettes on the back porch of his family’s South Deering home when a gunman walked up and fatally shot him, his aunt Traci Armstrong said.

“It happened right in front of his mother,” said Armstrong, 44. “It doesn’t seem real. Who does that?”

His mother, she said, is a certified nursing assistant and performed CPR on her son before paramedics arrived.

“I know that was the hardest thing she’s ever had to do,” Armstrong said.

McIntosh was outside in the 10600 block of South Yates about 9:20 p.m. Friday when he was killed, authorities said.

No one else was injured in the shooting.

“It’s just sad that people have no regard for human life,” Armstrong said, adding that her nephew was “quiet and happy.”

McIntosh was taken to Advocate Trinity Hospital where he was pronounced dead less than an hour later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

He was the youngest of three children and father of a 2-year-old boy, Armstrong said, adding that McIntosh had plans to register for adult education classes next week at Olive–Harvey College in the hopes of getting his GED.

“He loved his son and he was getting his life in order. He didn’t deserve that,” she said. “He was quiet and didn’t bother anybody. He was a good kid.”

Armstrong said McIntosh’s funeral service will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 10 at 415 W. 111th St.

Hezekiah Harper-Bey was killed in a West Garfield Park shooting that left three other men wounded early Saturday.

The four men were inside a vehicle in the 4400 block of West Van Buren Street when they were shot about 3 a.m. Saturday, police said.

Harper-Bey, 20, who lived on the block, was shot in the face and died about 30 minutes later at Mount Sinai Hospital, authorities said.

The three other men in the car were also wounded. Two 23-year-old men were hospitalized in critical condition and a 24-year-old man was shot in the buttocks, police said.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area North detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago

Six people were shot to death throughout Chicago last week.

The most recent killing happened when 20-year-old Hezekiah Harper-Bey was shot while inside a vehicle in the 4400 block of West Van Buren Street in West Garfield Park about 3 a.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Harper-Bey, 20, who lived on the block, was shot in the face and died about 30 minutes later at Mount Sinai Hospital, authorities said. Three other men in the car were wounded but survived.

On Friday, 20-year-old Tony McIntosh was outside in the 10600 block of South Yates Avenue in the South Deering neighborhood when someone walked up and shot him in the head about 9:20 p.m., authorities said.

McIntosh, who lived on the block, died less than an hour later at Advocate Trinity Hospital, according to the medical examiner’s office.

McIntosh was smoking cigarettes on the back porch of his family’s home when a gunman walked up and shot him, his aunt Traci Armstrong said.

“It happened right in front of his mother,” said Armstrong, 44. “It doesn’t seem real. Who does that?”

On Thursday, 25-year-old Raymond Murray was found lying in the street in the 7800 block of South Jeffery Boulevard in the South Shore community with a gunshot wound to his chest about 3:20 a.m., authorities said.

Murray, of the 7600 block of North Jeffery Boulevard, died at the scene, according to the medical examiner’s office.

On Tuesday, 16-year-old Camerion Blair was shot in the back and buttocks in the 2600 block of East 73rd Street in the South Shore community about 6:10 p.m., authorities said.

Camerion, of the 7300 block of South Shore Drive, died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Prosecutors claim Robert Smith, 21, of the 7600 block of South Coles Avenue, shot Blair and Judge Donald Panarese Jr. ordered Smith held without bond Saturday.

In the Humboldt Park community, 25-year-old Shandel Adams was shot in the 600 block of North Ridgeway Avenue early Tuesday, authorities said.

Adams, of the 5400 block of West Van Buren Street, died at Mount Sinai Hospital 4:17 a.m., according to the medical examiner’s office.

The killings started when 25-year-old Stanley L. Macon Jr. was shot in the 900 block of South Lawndale Avenue in the North Lawndale community just before 11 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

Macon, of the 2700 block of West Washington Boulevard, was shot several times in the head and died at the scene, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Overall, the medical examiner’s office has ruled at least 330 Chicago deaths in 2014 a homicide — including 12 people killed by police.

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

Tony McIntosh was fatally shot Friday outside his South Deering home. Reader Brandy Richard posted this about the killing:

Its sad that I can't explain to my son that he will never see or hear his daddy voice no more but I have to stay strong for my son RIH TONY

Torrente G. Pickens was shot to death in the Bronzeville neighborhood Monday evening.

Pickens, 37, was found shot multiple times inside a vehicle in the 100 block of East 44th Street about 5:30 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

Pickens, of the 3400 block of South King Drive, was dead at the scene, 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

Alvardo Perez / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Alvardo Perez was ordered held on $1 million bond Tuesday after prosecutors said he was part of a group that beat Victor Ramirez to death in the Little Village neighborhood.

Ramirez was walking in the 4100 block of West 26th Street when a group in a passing vehicle yelled gang slogans on Aug. 31, said Assistant State's Attorney Colleen Rogers.

Perez and his acquaintances then exited the vehicle and beat and kicked Ramirez, Rogers said. When Ramirez fell to the ground, the group allegedly stomped on his head.

The group then got back into the vehicle and drove over the injured Ramirez, Rogers said.

Ramirez, 23, of the 3000 block of West 41st Street, died a short time later at an area hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy determined Ramirez died of multiple injuries from an assault and the death was ruled a homicide.

The attack was captured on video by nearby surveillance cameras and multiple witnesses identified Perez as the person who stomped on Ramirez' head, Rogers said.

Victor Ramirez / Photo from Facebook

The witnesses gave police a description of the vehicle, and officers searching the area found the vehicle parked "just down the street" from Perez' home, Rogers said.

The vehicle was registered to Perez, and blood recovered from the wheel and undercarriage matched that of Ramirez, Rogers said.

Perez, 19, was charged with first-degree murder and Judge Laura Sullivan ordered him held on $1 million during a Tuesday hearing.

The other members of the group have not yet been charged.

-- Contributing: Rummana Hussain

Hezekiah Harper-Bey was fatally shot early Saturday in the West Garfield Park neighborhood. Reader "Jatara kelly" posted this about him:

My heart is very heavy since I've heard the news..u will truly be missed, R.I.P. sweetheart

Camerion Blair / Submitted photo

BY KENNY NGUYEN
Homicide Watch Chicago

Camerion Blair was just 5-feet tall, but his small stature didn't stop him from dreaming of playing in the NBA, family said.

“He loved basketball and Derrick Rose,” said Camerion’s aunt, Lolita Blair. “He loved Derrick Rose so much that I told him I was going to kidnap Derrick and bring him to Camerion."

Camerion, 16, won't be able to watch Rose's 2014 return to the hardwood after the teenager was fatally shot Sept. 2 in the 2600 block of East 73rd Street in the South Shore neighborhood, authorities said.

Lolita Blair said Camerion was on his way to return a video game when he was shot multiple times.

“Camerion gave me a kiss before he left,” Lolita Blair said. “He said ‘Titi, I’ll be right back,' and fifteen minutes later a close neighbor knocked on my door and told me he was shot.”

Camerion was raised by his grandmother, Sharon Blair, and was a senior at Hyde Park High School, family said.

He was promoted a grade, and his grandmother believed staying away from gangs was part of Camerion's success in his education.

“He was very smart and never failed in school,” said Sharon Blair. “He wanted all A’s, and if he got a B, he would get mad. He was even talking about going to a college in Kentucky to play basketball.”

Besides basketball and video games, Camerion’s family said the teen loved to be “loved.”

“He is a good, loving kid overall,” Lolita Blair said. “He wasn’t a disrespectful kid and didn’t start fights with anyone. He wanted to be loved and accepted. Everyone that met him just fell in love with him.”

Camerion’s family said they will most miss his kisses. Every time Camerion saw his aunt, grandmother or his cousin he would greet them with kisses on the cheek.

“He would kiss his grandma and me. That boy was 16-years-old and he still kissed everyone,” said Lolita Blair. "It’s hard to cope with this. He was 16, but if you looked at him, he looked like he was twelve. He wasn’t like my nephew. He was like my son, He was the baby of the family.”

Camerion Blair / Submitted photo

On Saturday, Robert Smith was ordered held without bond after prosecutors said he fatally shot Camerion.

Smith, 21, of the 7600 block of South Coles Avenue, is charged with first-degree murder, authorities said.

Lolita Blair said getting Smith off the streets is not going to do a thing because the neighborhood is “crime infested” and there’s a shooting everyday.

“Chicago is horrible, it breaks my heart when you’re 21-year-olds and you shot my baby,” said Lolita. “Camerion is never going to experience life again. He will never go to prom, graduate from high school, experience adulthood or have his own family.”

Smith will appear in court Oct. 23.

Clarence Sams / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

A second man has been charged with murder for allegedly beating 88-year-old Arthur Hearn to death last month in the Chatham neighborhood.

Clarence Sams, 24, of the 9200 block of South Dobson Avenue, was also charged with one count of felony robbery and was wanted on an outstanding warrant, police said.

Assistant State's Attorney Robert Mack said Sams and Samuel Higgins were looking for someone to rob on Sept. 25 and Sams told a witness they were going to "hit a lick."

The pair walked past Hearn in the 8500 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue then Sams struck the elderly man while Higgins acted as a lookout, prosecutors said.

A witness saw Sams kneeling over Hearn and searching the elderly man's pockets as he laid on his back with blood coming from his head, Mack said.

A witness attempted to chase the men away and they eventually fled when a police car was flagged down, Mack said.

Hearn, of the 8400 block of South Langley Avenue, died Sept. 28 from the head injuries, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Sams was arrested Oct. 7 and admitted on video to punching and robbing Hearn, Mack said.

Samuel Higgins / Photo from Chicago Police

On Wednesday, Judge Laura Sullivan ordered Sams held on $2 million bond.

Sams was convicted of reckless discharge of a firearm in 2011 and sentenced to a year in prison and was convicted of unlawful use of a weapon in 2012 and sentenced to three years in prison, according to court records.

Higgins, 29, of the 900 block of East 84th Street, was arrested Oct. 2 and charged with murder. He was ordered held on $1 million bond during a Saturday hearing.

-- Contributing: Rummana Hussain