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WEEK IN REVIEW: Eight killed in citywide violence

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BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

At least eight people were killed by violence throughout Chicago last week.

Four of the victims were shot dead over the weekend, when at least 29 other people were wounded by gunfire.

The most recent murder happened when police found a 36-year-old man shot in the street in the 2100 block of West 18th Place in Pilsen about 9:30 p.m. Sunday, authorities said.

The man, whose identity was not yet being released, had been shot in the back of the head and died about two hours later at Mount Sinai Hospital, authorities said.

In the South Chicago neighborhood, 17-year-old Marc Williams was shot while walking in the 8200 block of South Houston Avenue about noon Sunday, authorities said.

Williams, of the 8100 block of South Coles Avenue, died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital less than an hour later, according to the medical examiner’s office.

On Friday, 39-year-old Charles Wright was shot in the abdomen in the 5300 block of South Hoyne Avenue in the Back of the Yards community about 11:30 p.m., authorities said.

Wright, of the 3100 block of West 71st Street, died about an hour later at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Cliffon Johnson, 28, of the 5500 block of South Washtenaw Avenue, was charged with murder in Wright's death and is expected in court later Monday.

In the Austin community, 23-year-old Denzell Franklin was shot in a yard in the 5500 block of West Corcoran Place when multiple people opened fire from a sidewalk about 10 p.m., authorities said.

Franklin, 23, of an unidentified home address, was shot in the face and armpit and died at the scene, authorities said. Another man, 24, walked to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park with a gunshot wound to the arm, police said.

Joshua Grayer, 19, of the 1200 block of South St. Louis Avenue, and Jermaine Powell, 19, of the 5900 block of West Huron Street, were each charged with first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, police said. Both men are expected to appear in court Monday for a bond hearing.

On Thursday, 42-year-old Tepete Davis and an acquaintance were shot during a robbery in the 7900 block of South Justine Street about 11:55 p.m., authorities said.

Davis, of an unidentified home address, died at 1:08 a.m. Friday at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the medical examiner's office.

After the shooting, nearby police chased the two robbery suspects and shot one when he allegedly turned and pointed a dark object at officers, police said. Thomas Bishop, 41, of the 8200 block of South Wolcott Avenue, was charged with first-degree murder and ordered held without bond during a Sunday hearing. It was not immediately known if he was the suspect shot by police.

In the West Englewood neighborhood, 18-year-old Stanley Bobo was standing by his car in the 1400 block of West 72nd Street when a van drove past and somebody inside opened fire about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, authorities said.

Bobo, who lived on the block, was shot in the abdomen area and died about two hours later at Christ Medical Center, authorities said.

Kwonte Hughes, 17, of the 6800 block of South Carpenter Street, was charged with murder and ordered held on $1 million bond Saturday.

In the Grand Boulevard community, 44-year-old Reginald Boston was stabbed in the chest at a home in the 300 block of East 48th Street about 6 p.m. Thursday, authorities said.

Boston, of the 3500 block of West 74th Street, died about an hour later at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, authorities said.

An autopsy confirmed Boston died from multiple stab wounds and the death was ruled a homicide, but police said "all parties involved" remained on scene and no charges were pending.

On Wednesday, police found the bodies of Matthew Stanton, 28, and Peter Robert Costello, 17, inside the bedroom of a home in the 4100 block of West 63rd Street in Chicago Lawn about 4:15 p.m., authorities said.

Police called the deaths a murder-suicide and an autopsy confirmed died from a stab wound to his chest and the death was ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner’s office. Costello, 17, died from a gunshot wound to the head and his death was ruled a suicide.

Both men lived on the block, according to the medical examiner’s office. The relationship between the two was not immediately known.

Additionally, 21-year-old Kevin Roberson died Tuesday morning from injuries suffered when he was shot in the neck in the 7200 block of South Artesian Avenue about 4:15 p.m. May 17, authorities said. An autopsy ruled the death a homicide.

Overall, the medical examiner’s office has ruled at least 358 Chicago deaths in 2014 a homicide — including 14 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.


UPDATE: Cliffon Johnson held without bond in Back of the Yards shooting death of Charles Wright

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Cliffon Johnson / Photo from Chicago Police

Cliffon Johnson / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

A parolee was held without bond Monday after prosecutors claim he fatally shot a 39-year-old man on a Back of the Yards porch Friday night.

Witnesses told police they saw Cliffon Johnson, 28, walked towards a house in the 5400 block of South Hoyne Avenue where 39-year-old Charles Wright was on the porch, said Assistant State's Attorney Robert Mack.

The witness reported hearing three gunshots and seeing Johnson run away about 11:40 p.m. Friday, Mack said.

Wright, of the 3100 block of West 71st Street, was shot three times in the abdomen and thigh and died about an hour later at Mount Sinai Hospital, authorities said.

Police officers on the block heard gunshots and saw Johnson run away and drop a gun, his cell phone and a Ventra card, Mack said.

The officers gave chance and took Johnson into custody, Mack said. Witnesses positively identified him as the suspected shooter.

Police recovered a .357 handgun with three live rounds and three expended casings, Mack said. State Police determined the gun was used in the killing.

Johnson, of the 5500 block of South Washtenaw Avenue, was charged with first-degree murder.

Johnson was paroled from the Illinois Department of Corrections on Sept. 23, prosecutors said. He was convicted in 2004 on two counts of manufacturing and delivering drugs and was charged with possession of a controlled substance and driving on a suspended license in 2014.

A public defender said Johnson is a Dunbar graduate and has been working for the U.S. Post Office since he was released on parole. He is a life-long Chicagoan who lives with his mother and has three children.

On Monday, Judge Peggy Chiampas ordered Johnson held without bond and issued a next court date of Nov. 14.

UPDATE: Joshua Grayer, Jermaine Powell denied bond in Austin shooting death of Denzell Franklin

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Joshua Grayer / Photo from Chicago Police

Joshua Grayer / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

A West Side man who was free on bond while awaiting trial on a sexual assault charge was behind bars Monday after prosecutors said he fatally shot a 23-year-old man Friday night in the Austin community.

Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Novy said Joshua Grayer, 19, and Jermaine Powell exited the vestibule of a building in the 5500 block of West Corcoran Place and opened fire on two men in the gangway about 10 p.m. Friday.

Grayer fired at least two shots with a .38 caliber handgun, Novy said, and Powell, also 19, fired at least four shots with a .22 caliber handgun.

Denzell Franklin, whose address was not available, was shot in the face and armpit and died at the scene, authorities said.

The other man, who is 24, went to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park with a gunshot wound in his arm, Chicago Police said.

Police officers about 30 yards away heard the gunshots and saw Grayer and Powell running from the scene, Novy said.

The officers chased and eventually arrested both men. When officers retraced their attempted escape routes, they found both handguns, Novy said.

Grayer, of the 1200 block of South St. Louis Avenue, and Powell, of the 5900 block of West Huron Street, both were charged with first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, police said.

Grayer, who suffered a graze wound during the shooting, had been free on bond as he awaited trial on a 2013 aggravated criminal sexual assault charge, Novy said.

In the sexual assault case, prosecutors had said Grayer was one of nine males in a van that approached three teenage girls walking in the 700 block of North Parkside Avenue. The girls agreed to get in the van, and two of the girls drank alcohol and smoked marijuana with the group, prosecutors said.Jermaine Powell / Photo from Chicago Police

Jermaine Powell / Photo from Chicago Police

All three girls were then sexually assaulted in the van, prosecutors said.

Grayer’s mother, a city Department of Water Management employee, used deferred compensation to post the required $10,000 bond to free her son in the sexual assault case, his lawyer said.

Grayer is a lifelong resident of Cook County and is in school, his lawyer said.

Powell obtained his GED in 2013 and lives with his grandmother, according to a public defender. He is expecting his first child in six months.

On Monday, Judge Peggy Chiampas ordered both men held without bond in the shooting. She also ordered Grayer held without bond on the sexual assault charge.

Comment of the Day: "My pain running deeper then [an] ocean"

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Stanley Bobo, 18, was fatally shot last week in the West Englewood neighborhood. Reader Letoya Brown posted this about him:

I love you baby brother
My pain running deeper then a ocean
Tears :(

David Morgan, 36, fatally shot in Pilsen

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David Morgan was shot to death Sunday night in the Pilsen neighborhood.

Morgan, 36, was shot in the back of the head in the 2100 block of West 18th Street about 9:30 p.m. Sunday, authorities said.

Police officers investigating a call about shots fired found Morgan lying in the street, authorities said.

Morgan, of the 2100 block of West 19th Street, died at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County at 11:20 p.m. Sunday, 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

Owen Spears killed in Humboldt Park shooting

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Owen C. Spears was fatally shot in the Humboldt Park neighborhood Monday afternoon.

Spears, 22, was shot several times in the abdomen area in the 700 block of North Trumbull Avenue about 4:30 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

Spears, of the 700 block of North St. Louis Avenue, died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Nobody has been charged for the shooting.

Area North detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Darryl Owens Jr., 34, shot to death in Chatham

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Darryl Owens Jr. was fatally shot in the Chatham neighborhood Monday evening.

Owens, 34, was walking on a sidewalk in the 800 block of East 87th Street when a gunman emerged from a gangway and shot him in the abdomen and left leg about 5:35 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

Owens, of the 7300 block of North Damen Avenue, died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn at 11:50 p.m. Monday, 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

Bobby Moore fatally shot in South Chicago community

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Bobby Moore was killed in a South Chicago neighborhood shooting Monday night.

Moore, 25, was shot in the chest and neck in the 8300 block of South Kingston Avenue about 7:40 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

Moore, of the 7300 block of South Oglesby Avenue, died about an hour later at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Nobody has been charged for the killing.

Area South detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire


Comment of the Day: "[It's] so sad he fought for his country and who would think he would die in such a [senseless] matter"

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Tepete Davis, 42, was fatally shot last week during an armed robbery in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood. Reader "Sonya S" posted this about him:

So sad, i grow up with Tepete he was such a kind and good guy. Its so sad he fought for his country and who would think he would die in such a senceless matter.. When will it ever stop??? I send out my prayers and thought to Shirley Davis and the rest of the family.

Oduro Yeboah killed in Uptown shooting

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Oduro Yeboah was killed in a Monday afternoon shooting in the Uptown neighborhood.

Yeboah, 22, was driving in the 4700 block of North Clarendon Avenue when three people who were walking nearby approached his vehicle and opened fire about noon Monday, authorities said.

Yeboah, of the 800 block of West Belle Plaine Avenue, was shot in the head and crashed the car, authorities said. He died at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center at 6:26 a.m. Tuesday.

Another person suffered a graze wound in the shooting and was taken to Weiss Memorial Hospital, police said.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area North detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Pierre Peters, 41, shot to death in Austin home

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A 41-year-old man was fatally shot inside his Austin neighborhood home Wednesday afternoon.

Pierre Peters was shot in the back inside his home in the 0 - 100 block of North Lorel Avenue about 2:35 p.m., authorities said. He died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

After the shooting, two males were seen running from the building, police said.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area North detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Comment of the Day: "I am so [glad] Police caught this clown who killed my little brother"

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Charles Wright, 39, was fatally shot in the Back of the Yards neighborhood last Friday. Reader "jaylon1rhyme" posted this about the killing:

I am so [glad] Police caught this clown who killed my Little brother Nose who was a good guy never done anything to nobody. I hope he gets life for killing my lil bro.

R.I.P.... Nose
Love Your Big Bro:JAP

ANALYSIS: More murders than normal on recent Halloweens

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BY WILL HAGER
For Homicide Watch Chicago

After an increase in gun violence over the recent Fourth of July and Labor Day holiday weekends, should Chicago residents expect another surge in violence with Halloween falling on a Friday?

Since 2007, Chicago has seen an increase in killings on Halloween compared with the average number of slayings during any given day in October, according to data from the Cook County medical examiner's office.

During that time, there have been a total of 16 killings on Halloween, and another seven in the early morning hours of Nov. 1, according to the medical examiner's office data. On any October day since 2007, an average of about 1.25 people were killed each day.

Halloween has fallen on a weekend twice since 2007: in 2009 and 2010. A total of 14 people were killed during those two holiday weekends.

The increase in killings coincides with what some criminologists describe as an increase in violence because more people are on the street.

Indeed, some of the Halloween murders since 2007 have happened because people are out trick or treating.

In 2007, 32-year-old Leticia Barrera, an expectant mother of three, was fatally shot on Halloween while returning home from trick-or-treating with her children, authorities said.

Prosecutors claimed 21-year-old Orlando Avila and another gunman opened fire on rival gang members in the 4800 block of South Seeley Avenue but instead shot Barrera. Avila was convicted of murder and sentenced to 65 years in prison.

In 2009, paraplegic purported gang member Andrew Ruiz fatally shot 23-year-old Manny Roman near North Central Park and West Grand avenues because "it was Halloween and somebody was going to die," prosecutors said.

Ruiz was sentenced to 99 years in prison for the shooting, which also left Roman's stepbrother seriously wounded, authorities said.

In 2011, Maria Adams was fatally stabbed with a steak knife during a dispute over missing Halloween candy, authorities said.

Other criminologists have noted that crime generally decreases in cold, rainy weather. The National Weather Service is predicting a high of 42 degrees with a chance of rain and snow this Halloween.

Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy has previously noted that weather neither causes nor prevents crime.

Thomas Sanchez, 53, found stabbed to death in Pullman

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Police found a 53-year-old man stabbed to death inside a Pullman home Wednesday evening.

Police went to the residence in the 600 block of East 111th Street to perform a well-being check and found Thomas Sanchez stabbed to death about 5 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.

Police believe the man may have been stabbed on Tuesday.

A Thursday autopsy confirmed Sanchez, of the 11200 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue, died of a stab wound to the neck and the death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Nobody has been charged for the killing.

Area South detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Ian Armstrong charged with murder in Kenwood shooting death of Gregory Dixon

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Ian Armstrong / Photo from Chicago Police
Ian Armstrong / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

A Rogers Park man has been charged with murder for a fatal 2013 Memorial Day weekend shooting in the Kenwood neighborhood.

Chicago Police said 29-year-old Ian Armstrong was identified through DNA as a "participant" in a May 25, 2013, murder in the 1400 block of East 52nd Street.

Gregory Dixon, 29, was shot to death about about 1:50 p.m. that day about a half-mile from President Barack Obama’s Kenwood home.

Dixon had buzzed the gunmen into an apartment building, police said at the time. The attackers then entered a unit through an open door and shot Dixon in the chest and back, police said.

Dixon, who lived on the block, died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

It was not immediately clear if Armstrong, of the 1200 block of West Loyola Avenue, was the shooter, but he was charged this week with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the slaying, authorities said.

Armstrong is currently being held in Cook County Jail on an unrelated charge of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, according to jail records.

On Friday, Judge Peggy Chiampas ordered Armstrong appear in court Monday for a bond hearing.


Man paroled for 1993 murder now charged in Pullman stabbing death

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Christian Williams / Photo from Chicago Police
Christian Williams / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

A 48-year-old Pullman man free on parole for a 1993 slaying has been charged with murder again after police found a 53-year-old man stabbed to death Wednesday evening on the Far South Side.

Police were called to perform a "well-being check" at a residence in the 600 block of East 111th Street and found Thomas Sanchez stabbed to death about 5 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said. Police believe the stabbing may have happened on Tuesday.

Responding officers found Christian Williams still on the scene and he was taken into custody, police said.

An autopsy confirmed Sanchez, of the 11200 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue, died of a stab wound to the neck and the death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Williams, who lived on the block, was charged with first-degree murder and is expected to appear in court for a bond hearing on Saturday.

Williams was previously convicted of murder in 1993 and sentenced to 30 years in prison, according to court records. Details about that slaying were not immediately available.

Williams was released on parole March 1, 2013, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Police: 33 October murders tied for fewest since 1965

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BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Chicago Police reported a 6 percent decrease in murder through the first 10 months of 2014 compared to the same time period last year.

The 33 October murders tied 2013 for the fewest in the month since 1965, said police spokesman Martin Maloney.

Those murders raised the yearly total to 331 killings -- 22 fewer than the first 10 months of 2013, and 105 less over the same period in the unusually violent 2012, police said.

The Cook County medical examiner's office, which reports homicides whereas Chicago Police count murders following FBI guidelines, tallied 365 Chicago homicides, including 14 people fatally shot by police officers. Chicago Police detectives have ruled some of those homicides as involuntary manslaughter, justified self-defense or accidents.

While murders were down through October, there were more shooting incidents and people shot compared to the first 10 months of last year.

Through October, there were 2,129 people shot in 1,747 incidents in 2014, compared to 1,960 people shot in 1,602 shootings last year, police said.

Police noted that while both shooting incidents and shooting victims are up compared to last year, both categories are lower than 2012 and 2011 totals.

“So far this year we have had the fewest amount of murders since 1965, yet we all know it’s not enough and there’s much more work to be done," said Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy in a statement. "We will continue to put more officers in high crime areas, proactively intervene in gang conflicts, and enhance our community policing efforts, because fostering stronger relationships with the residents we serve is the foundation of our public safety philosophy.”

Chang Z. Qui killed in attempted robbery at Austin restaurant

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Scene where Chang Z. Qui was fatally shot / Photo from NVP
Scene where Chang Z. Qui was fatally shot / Photo from NVP

A Chinese restaurant employee was shot to death during an attempted robbery Friday night in the Austin neighborhood.

A gunman entered the See Thru Chinese Kitchen in the 5200 block of West Madison Street about 7:10 p.m. Friday and demanded money, authorities said.

At some point during the attempted robbery the gunman shot 41-year-old Chang Z. Qui in the back, authorities said.

Qui, of the 3200 block of West Wallace Street, died at Mount Sinai Hospital at 8:02 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

The gunman ran away after the shooting, police said. Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area North detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

UPDATE: Man on parole for 1993 murder held without bond in Pullman stabbing death

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Christian Williams / Photo from Chicago Police

Christian Williams / Photo from Chicago Police

BY TINA SFONDELES
Chicago Sun-Times

A 48-year-old Pullman man free on parole for a 1993 fatal stabbing was ordered held without bond Saturday after prosecutors claim he stabbed a 53-year-old man to death Wednesday evening.

Christian Williams, who was renting a room in the 600 block of East 111th Street, let Thomas Sanchez into the house then grabbed a knife and stabbed him to death on Tuesday, prosecutors said.

The homeowner was not there when the stabbing happened, but when he returned the next day Williams said he killed a man and the body was on the third floor, prosecutors said.

The homeowner called police, who found the victim with his pants down, prosecutors said.

Williams was at the house when police arrived and told detectives he stabbed the man and provided the murder weapon, authorities said.

An autopsy confirmed Sanchez, of the 11200 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue, died of a stab wound to the neck and the death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Williams was on parole for a 1993 murder where he was at a party when he stabbed a man to death. A man who had left the two earlier came back to find the victim dead with his pants partially unzipped, prosecutors said.

Williams then tried to stab that man as well, but he was able to escape.
The victim in that murder was also found with his pants partially unzipped.

Williams was convinced of murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison, but paroled on March 1, 2013.

Williams suffers from schizophrenia, his public defender said.

On Saturday, Williams was ordered held without bond and ordered to return to court Monday.

Rayvon Little killed in Englewood shooting

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Rayvon Little was killed in an Englewood neighborhood shooting that also left another man wounded Saturday night.

Little, 20, was standing in the 6700 block of South Morgan Street with a 19-year-old man when a group walked past and somebody opened fire about 7 p.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Little, who lived on the block, was shot in the abdomen area and leg, authorities said. He died just over an hour later at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

The 19-year-old man was shot in the leg and taken to Stroger Hospital for treatment, police said.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area South detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

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