BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Seven people died violent deaths throughout Chicago last week.

Three of the killings happened over the weekend, when at least 29 other people were wounded by gunfire.

The most recent killing happened when 15-year-old Demario Bailey was shot in the 0-100 block of West 63rd Street about 12:40 p.m. Saturday as he and his twin brother made their way toward Johnson College Prep to play basketball, according to police and the boy’s aunt, Michelle Fitzpatrick.

Police said four people walked up, announced the robbery and one of the robbers shot Demario.

Demario, of the 7500 block of South Wabash Avenue, died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He would have turned 16 on Tuesday, family said.

“Some guys came upon him and tried to rob him of his jacket,” Fitzpatrick said. “Our nephew wouldn’t give up his coat, and they shot him in chest.”

On Sunday, authorities announced that 17-year-old Carlos Johnson was charged as an adult with first-degree murder, armed robbery with a firearm and attempted armed robbery with a firearm. The boy is expected to appear in court for a bond hearing later Monday.

On Friday, 28-year-old Rolando Leon was inside a vehicle in the 1300 block of North Springfield Avenue in the Humboldt Park community when at least one person walked up and shot him in the head about 7 p.m., authorities said.

Leon, of the 1200 block of North Springfield Avenue, died at the scene, according to the medical examiner’s office. A child inside the vehicle was not injured, police said.

In the Roseland neighborhood, 27-year-old Tyrece L. Stornes was outside his home in the 10400 block of South State Street when a gunman opened fire from a passing vehicle about 5 p.m. Friday, authorities said.

Stornes was shot in the chest and died at the scene, authorities said.

On Thursday, 51-year-old Timothy W. Quirk was stabbed in the neck during a domestic argument in the 2200 block of West Farwell Avenue in the West Ridge community about 6:15 a.m., authorities said.

Quirk, who lived on the block, died at the scene, according to the medical examiner’s office, which ruled the death a homicide.

On Tuesday, 21-year-old Leonardo Matias was struck in the head during a drive-by shooting in the 1100 block of West Wilson Avenue in the Uptown neighborhood about 10 a.m., authorities said.

Matias, of the 2300 block of North Mango Avenue, was initially taken in critical condition to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was declared dead at 11:01 a.m. Wednesday, authorities said.

The shooting happened across the street from Truman College and police do not believe Matias was the intended target.

On Monday, police found 19-year-old Guillermo Ocampo shot multiple times on a sidewalk in the 900 block of North Central Park Avenue in the Humboldt Park community about 4:50 p.m., authorities said.

Ocampo, who lived on the block, died less than an hour later at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, according to the medical examiner's office.

The killing started when 25-year-old Guovanni Johnson was shot during a domestic fight outside his home in the 6100 block of South Wabash Avenue about 11:10 a.m. Monday, authorities said.

Johnson was shot in the head and chest and died Tuesday at Stroger Hospital, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Eric Hamilton, 46, of the 800 block of West Westwood Drive in Glenwood, was arrested for the killing on Wednesday and later charged with first-degree murder, authorities said. He is scheduled to appear in court for a bond hearing later Monday.

Overall, the medical examiner’s office has ruled at least 417 Chicago deaths in 2014 a homicide — including 16 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.

Eric Hamilton / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

A 47-year-old south suburban man was ordered held without bond Monday after prosecutors claimed he fatally shot his fiance's brother during a Dec. 8 fight in the Washington Park community.

Eric Hamilton and his fiance had just returned to their home in the 6100 block of South Wabash Avenue when his fiance's brother, 25-year-old Guvanni Johnson, asked to use her bus card and an argument ensued, said Assistant State's Attorney Beth Novy.

Hamilton thought Johnson disrespected his fiance and became involved in the dispute, Novy said.

Hamilton eventually called 911 and when responding officers learned the dispute was not physical they "left after taking some information," Novy said.

After police left, Hamilton and Johnson continued to argue and Hamilton's fiance told the pair to go outside, where the argument escalated into a fight, Novy said.

Johnson eventually got into his vehicle and drove around the block, but Hamilton followed in a second vehicle, Novy said.

A maintenance worker saw both men park their vehicles on Wabash Avenue and Hamilton walk towards Johnson while he was still behind the wheel. Novy said. Hamilton then tried to break the passenger side window of Johnson's vehicle, prosecutors said.

Johnson then got out of the vehicle and started to run away, but Hamilton pulled a handgun and shot him, Novy said.

When Johnson to fell to the street, Hamilton bend over him and shot him three more times, Novy said.

Scene where Guvonni Johnson was shot / Photo by Brian Jackson

Johnson, 25, who lived in the home with his sister, was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where he died the next day, authorities said.

After the shooting, Hamilton ran to the back of his fiance's home, knocked on the window, told her he was sorry then fled, Novy said.

Hamilton, of the 800 block of West Westwood Drive in Glenwood, was arrested Wednesday and later charged with first-degree murder, authorities said. He has three previous misdemeanor convictions, including a 1988 case where he was sentenced to one year of supervision for unlawful use of a weapon, according to court records.

Hamilton's lawyer claimed that before the fight Johnson was hitting and kicking Hamilton, who wrestled for the gun inside the home and was acting in self-defense.

His lawyer noted Hamilton has eight children, six of whom are grown and two who he still supports, and is a supervisor for a company.

Judge James Brown ordered Hamilton held without bond and issued a next court date of Jan. 5.

Demario Bailey / Sumbitted photo

BY STEFANO ESPOSITO
Chicago Sun-Times

A 17-year-old boy was ordered held without bond Monday after he was charged with killing a 15-year-old over his jacket in front of his twin brother.

Three other teens were charged with murder Monday evening and are expected to appear in court Tuesday for a bond hearing.

Cook County Criminal Court Judge James Brown ruled that Carlos Johnson, 17, be held without bail in the murder of 15-year-old Demario Bailey in front of his twin brother, Demacio, after a brief hearing at the George Leighton Criminal Courts Building.

Prosecutors said at the bond hearing Monday for Johnson that they do not believe at this time that he pulled the trigger in the shooting.

The other three teens -- Deafro Brakes and Isiah Penn, both 17, and Tarik Brakes, 16, each charged as adults in the murder -- are expected to have bond hearings Tuesday.

As prosecutors outlined the case against Johnson, his mother and grandmother stood in the front row of the gallery but left afterward without talking to reporters.

Prosecutors say Johnson was involved in two armed robberies just minutes before the robbery that led to the murder of Bailey Saturday afternoon. Both of the earlier robberies occurred in a viaduct in at 150 W. 63rd St., Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Santini said in court.

In one of the earlier robberies, Johnson and another alleged thief stole a cell phone from a 17-year-old youth, Santini said. In the other robbery, a group of four to five people stole a cell phone, some cash and some earrings from a 33-year-old victim, Santini said.

After those robberies, Johnson and several others headed east into a viaduct at 20 W. 63rd St., Santini said. Demario and Demacio were also in the viaduct, heading to basketball practice at their school, Johnson College Prep.

“The offenders, while brandishing a loaded handgun, began to rifle through the victim’s pockets as they said, ‘Give it up,'” Santini said.

The Bailey brothers resisted Johnson and the other alleged robbers, and “a brief struggle ensued,” Santini said. “One of the offenders fired the loaded handgun at Demario Bailey, striking him in the chest just above his heart.”

Demacio ran after hearing the gunshot, Santini said.

“After reaching the end of the viaduct, the 15-year-old victim realized that his brother wasn’t with him and immediately returned to the viaduct,” Santini said. “He found his twin brother lying face up mortally wounded from a gunshot to the upper chest.”

At one point during Monday’s hearing, Judge Brown asked Santini if Johnson was the actual shooter.

“At this time, no,” Santini said.

And in arguing for bail, Johnson’s attorney, Mike Clancy, said prosecutors have no evidence that Johnson wielded a gun during any of the robberies.

“He was not the shooter in this case,” Clancy said.

Santini listed Johnson’s criminal history, all juvenile matters, including 2014 convictions for criminal trespass, possession of cannabis and theft. He’s also currently on probation for an unlawful use of a weapon conviction stemming from a 2013 charge, prosecutors say.

Prosecutors say CTA and other surveillance cameras show Johnson and the other alleged robbers entering the viaduct just before the murder and leaving it shortly after.

Shamar Thompson was fatally shot in the Englewood neighborhood Monday morning.

Thompson, 18, was walking in the 5800 block of South Morgan Street when a maroon van pulled up and somebody inside opened fire at 11:40 a.m., authorities said.

Thompson, of the 5500 block of South Morgan Street, was shot multiple times and died about an hour later at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, authorities said.

The van fled after the shooting and nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area South detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Lavert Pitts / Photo from Chicago Police

BY JORDAN OWEN
Sun-Times Media

A West Side man currently in federal custody for bank robbery now faces murder charges in the May shooting death of Monte Tillman.

Lavert Pitts, 24, of the 4800 block of West Gladys Avenue, was charged with first-degree murder in the May 26 shooting death of Tillman in the 5200 block of West Lake Street, authorities said.

Assistant State's Attorney Robert Mack said Pitts walked up to a car wash with his hand in his pocket and shook hands with Tillman.

When Tillman turned his back to talk with somebody in a nearby car, Pitts pulled out a handgun and shot Tillman in the back, Mack said.

After being shot, Tillman ran to the back of a vehicle parked on the street and returned fire, Mack said.

The two continued to exchange gunfire until Pitts fled in a vehicle, Mack said.

Tillman, 33, of the 1100 block of Thomas Avenue in Forest Park, died about an hour later at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, authorities said.

Tillman’s cousin, the Rev. Ezra Tillman of First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Flint, Mich., said Monte Tillman got involved in Chicago’s gang culture and the family was “hurt but not shocked” to learn of his death.

“He was clear that was what his world was to him. In the circle he was in, the people he had around, I guess he had love and support,” Ezra Tillman said. “He felt he was safe.”

Monte Tillman / Photo from Facebook

The shooting was captured on surveillance video and multiple witnesses identified Pitts as the shooter, Mack said.

In a videotaped statement, Pitts admitted shooting Tillman and boasted the killing “wasn’t no tit for tat, that’s the thing, if you shoot one of mines [sic] and don’t kill, I’m coming back killing one of yours, this ain’t a war until you send the shots, and it ain’t gonna be a war because by the time you send the shots you be dead.”

He also admitted to disposing of the murder weapon, Mack said.

Judge James Brown ordered Pitts, who is currently in federal custody for a band robbery he committed three days later, held without bond.

He will be back in court on the murder charges Jan. 7.

-- Contributing: Susan Du

BY SUN-TIMES STAFF

Demacio and Demario Bailey were supposed to be celebrating their 16th birthday on Tuesday. Instead, two other brothers stood before a judge, accused of being part of a robbery spree that left Demario dead under an Englewood viaduct.

Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Santini said brothers Tarik and Deafro Brakes, along with Isiah Penn and Carlos Johnson, went to the viaduct in the 0-100 block of West 63rd Street Saturday afternoon with a “preconceived plan” to rob people at gunpoint.

After the group robbed a 17-year-old boy and 33-year-old man they moved on to the Bailey brothers, who were walking through the viaduct on their way to Johnson College Prep, where Demacio had basketball practice.

After confronting the Bailey brothers, “the offenders, while brandishing a loaded handgun, began to rifle through the victim’s pockets as they said, ‘Give it up,’” Santini had said.

When the Bailey brothers resisted, one of the robbers shot Demario. Relatives said Demario was fatally shot in the chest when he wouldn’t hand over the winter coat his mother had recently bought him.

Demacio ran after hearing the gunshot, Santini said.

“After reaching the end of the viaduct, the 15-year-old victim realized that his brother wasn’t with him and immediately returned to the viaduct,” Santini said. “He found his twin brother lying face up mortally wounded from a gunshot to the upper chest.”

Santini said “the last person seen with the gun was Tarik Brakes,” but he did not identify any of the suspects as the shooter.

A relative of Tarik Brakes’ shrieked when prosecutors said he was the last person seen with the gun.

Prosecutors say CTA and other surveillance cameras show Johnson and the other alleged robbers entering the viaduct just before the murder and leaving it shortly after.

Judge James Brown ordered the Brakes brothers held without bond as their parents watched from the courtroom. Isiah Penn, who is on parole for a 2014 juvenile robbery charge, was held on $2 million bond.

Johnson, 17, had been ordered held without bond on Monday.

Prosecutors claimed Penn made incriminating statements to police that implicating himself and his co-defendants.

William Wolf, public defender representing Penn, questioned the evidence produced during the hearing and noted the state did not release documents related to statements Penn allegedly made to police, a requirement when seeking a no bail statute.

“You didn’t see any witnesses. You didn’t see any videotape. What evidence did you hear? You heard a lawyer talking,” Wolf said. “We asked to see some of it, and they said no. And they would rather have our client have bail then us seeing the evidence. That’s something we have to question.

“They chose that they didn’t want us to see those materials because that might affect their ability to go forward in a hearing. It looks like they are trying to keep their tools that they have at their disposal close to the vest.”

Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez said the public defender was not given Penn’s statements in order “to move forward” with Tuesday’s bond hearing.

“They were asking for discovery that we were not in the position to give at this point,” Alvarez said. “It will come later. It’s a process of reports.”

Alvarez called Demario’s murder tragic and painful, but said it strengthens her argument that juveniles ages 15 to 17 who are charged in the most serious crimes -- murder, armed robbery with a firearm, aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm, aggravated battery with a firearm, and unlawful use of a weapon on school grounds -- should be tried as adults.

“This cold blooded and heinous murder of Demario Bailey by four 16 and 17-year-olds screams out for serious laws for juvenile offenders with existing criminal histories, who are out on our streets terrorizing innocent children, and other citizens,” Alvarez said.

She noted if the teens were tried in the juvenile system they would have only received four to five years in the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center.

“My view is that is by no means an appropriate measure of justice for a young promising life, a young main raised by a very devoted mother, a grandmother, a twin brother, a Chicago working class family that deserved to be kept safe from this insane street violence,” Alvarez said. “This case is truly tragic and it’s disheartening. It serves as a sobering reminder that we have to do much better.”

Demario Bailey / Submitted photo

Tarik Brakes, 16, is a student at Englewood High School and Deafro Brakes, 17, is a student at McKinley, according to their public defenders. Penn, 17, lives with his mother, sister and brother, his lawyer said.

Demario, an honor roll student at Johnson College Prep, dreamed of attending college and becoming an attorney or a police officer, according to close friend Charles Kirk.

On Tuesday, teachers and classmates at Johnson Prep planned to throw a 16th birthday celebration for the brothers this afternoon at the Englewood school.

Demario and his twin, Demacio, had hoped to celebrate at Dave & Busters, a Near North Side video arcade and restaurant, family members said.

Demacio played in a school basketball game Monday night to honor his brother, who was his biggest fan. Before the game, players observed a moment of silence to honor Demario, who was on the pep squad and banged a drum at games to amp up the crowd.

Demario would regularly accompany his brother to basketball practice, even though he was not on the team. The brothers were walking from a bus stop to one of those practices at Johnson Prep when Demario was killed.

Demacio scored four points Monday night during the 64-41 loss to Leyden High.

Following the game, the twins’ mother, Delores Bailey, made a passionate plea to end senseless violence.

“We need to stick together. Mothers get up and let’s live for our kids,” said Delores Bailey with tears streaming down her cheeks. “We don’t want to let them out because we scared because we know a day like this is coming.”

To avoid Demario’s fate, she called on parents to organize car pools for their kids.

“Let’s get [our kids] to where they need to be,” Delores Bailey said. “If you all don’t do it, I’m going to do it myself. I promise you, if I have to put them in my car … and drop them off and pick them up.”

“I don’t want nobody else — no other mother — to feel this,” she said as she left the gym.

The team had come out of the locker room alongside the boys’ family. With Demacio in the lead, the players lined up single-file and marched to their bus chanting, “We will live, not die.”

Tyrone Johnson was fatally shot in the East Garfield Park neighborhood Tuesday afternoon.

Johnson, 30, was shot in the 3300 block of West Congress Parkway about 1:40 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said.

Johnson, of the 3300 block of West Van Buren Street, died less than an hour later at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, 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

Torrance D. Bell was fatally shot near a Humboldt Park library Monday afternoon.

Bell, 23, just exited a parked vehicle in the 700 block of North Kedzie Avenue when three people approached and two of them opened fire about 2:40 p.m., authorities said.

Bell, of the 600 block of North Ridegway Avenue, was shot multiple times and died at Mount Sinai Hospital less than an hour later, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Another person who exited the vehicle with Bell was not injured, police said.

The gunman ran away after the shooting, which happened near the Richard M. Daley-West Humboldt Chicago Public Library branch at 733 N. Kedzie Ave., and nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area North detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

A 17-year-old boy was killed in a Chicago Lawn area shooting early Wednesday.

Police responding to reports of a person shot found Jose R. Hernandez Jr. shot in the head and lying on a sidewalk in the 5900 block of South Fairfield Avenue about 1:15 a.m., authorities said.

Hernandez, who lived on the block, was declared dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, 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

A 42-year-old man was found shot to death at his West Englewood home Tuesday night.

Police found Matthew Dowdell dead at his home in the 5900 block of South Wolcott Avenue at 8:12 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said.

A Wednesday autopsy confirmed Dowdell died of a gunshot wound to the head and ruled his death a homicide, 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

BY GEORGE SLEFO
Sun-Times Media

Donatello Herrera was fatally shot early Wednesday after he finished work at a Near West Side fast-food restaurant.

Herrera, 35, was standing on the sidewalk in the 1200 block of South Western Avenue a gunman inside a passing SUV opened fire about 1:15 a.m., authorities said.

Herrera, of the 3200 block of South Wallace Street, was struck in the abdomen area and died at short time later at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, authorities said.

After the shooting, police were investigating a bus stop shelter, where shattered glass was scattered across the sidewalk.

A manager at a nearby Burger King said Herrera had just finished work at the eatery. Other employees said Herrera had worked at the restaurant for about six months and took the bus home after his night shift.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

Drequan Archie was killed in a South Shore shooting that left another man wounded Wednesday afternoon.

The men were in the 2100 block of East 79th Street when two other people approached and one of them opened fire about 2:20 p.m. Wednesday, police said.

Archie, 20, of the 1300 block of East 93rd Street, was struck and died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

The other man was shot in the leg and taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn for treatment, police said.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

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

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Lamont Jackson / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Lamont Jackson was ordered held on $1 million bond Thursday after prosecutors claim he was part of a group that beat Leroy Griffin then shot him dead in the Chatham community.

On Dec. 21, 2013, Griffin was walking with an acquaintance to a gas station near 79th and State streets when a green vehicle stopped nearby, said Assistant State's Attorney Beth Novy.

Jackson and six others exited the vehicle and approached Griffin and his acquaintance because they believed the pair were members of a rival gang responsible for killing a friend, Novy said.

The group beat Griffin while a gunman chased his acquaintance, who escaped by hiding in a gangway, Novy said.

The gunman then returned to where the group was beating Griffin and shot him once in the head, Novy said.

Griffin, 18, of the 7500 block of South Langley Avenue, was declared dead a short time later at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

After the shooting, the group got back in the green vehicle and fled the scene, Novy said.

Jackson, 24, was arrested this week and admitted to being part of the beating, Novy said. Video footage also allegedly shows him exiting the green vehicle prior to the attack.

Jackson was charged with first-degree murder and Judge James Brown ordered him held on $1 million bond during a Thursday court hearing.

Prosecutors noted that Jackson was previously convicted of battery in 2006 and unlawful use of a weapon in 2013.

The other attackers have not yet been charged for the killing.

-- Contributing: Rummana Hussain

Scene where Yvonne Augustus was killed / Photo from NVP

A man beat a woman to death before hanging himself in a Greater Grand Crossing home Wednesday night.

Yvonne Augustus, 47, and Ezra Walton, 28, were found dead in the home int he 7100 block of South Ingleside Avenue about 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.

An autopsy determined Augustus, who lived at the home, died from multiple blunt force injuries from an assault and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Walton died of asphyxiation from hanging himself and his death was ruled a suicide, according to an autopsy. Walton lived on the block, but it was not immediately known if he also lived in the home.

A police source said the attack is thought to be a domestic-related, but the relationship between the pair was not immediately available.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

BY KENNY NGUYEN
Homicide Watch Chicago

Aaron Starling tried to promote peace in his Near West Side community through sports, a friend said.

Starling enjoyed teaching neighborhood children a variety of sports, said friend Chris Brandew.

On Nov. 10, Starling was shot multiple times and police officers found him inside an apartment in the 2400 block of West Harrison Street, authorities said.

Starling, 29, who lived on the block, was declared dead less than an hour later at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Brandew said Starling was like family to him.

"Aaron was a humble guy. There were times when people were fighting each other during the baseball games and Aaron stepped in to stop it all," Brandw said. "He was more of a older brother to me. When my brothers weren’t around, he was definitely one of the guys that looked out for me and kept me out of trouble."

Starling attended Southern Illinois University and Brandew said his friend once invited him to come tour the Carbondale campus.

After college, Brandew said Starling owned a rim shop.

Brandew, who had not seen Starling since 2012, said it is not the first time he has lost a friend to violence.

“I was shocked when it happened because my other friend was killed also,” Brandew said.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

Louis Smith / Photo from Chicago Police

A second man has been charged with murder after authorities said he was part of a group that beat a man then shot him dead in the Chatham neighborhood.

On Dec. 21, 2013, Leroy Griffin was walking with an acquaintance to a gas station near 79th and State streets when a green vehicle stopped nearby, said Assistant State’s Attorney Beth Novy.

Lamont Jackson, 24, Louis Smith, 25, and five others exited the vehicle and approached Griffin and his acquaintance because they believed the pair were members of a rival gang responsible for killing a friend, Novy said.

The group beat Griffin while a gunman chased his acquaintance, who escaped by hiding in a gangway, Novy said.

The gunman then returned to where the group was beating Griffin and shot him once in the head, Novy said.

Griffin, 18, of the 7500 block of South Langley Avenue, was pronounced dead a short time later at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

After the shooting, the group got back in the green vehicle and fled the scene, Novy said.

Jackson was arrested this week and admitted to being part of the beating, Novy said. Video footage also allegedly shows him exiting the green vehicle prior to the attack.

Jackson was charged with first-degree murder and Judge James Brown ordered him held on $1 million bond during a Thursday court hearing.

Prosecutors noted that Jackson was previously convicted of battery in 2006 and unlawful use of a weapon in 2013.

On Friday, police announced that Smith, of the 6700 block of South Lafayette Avenue, was also been charged with first-degree murder, murder while committing another forcible felony and mob action.

The other attackers have not yet been charged for the killing.

-- Homicide Watch Chicago and Sun-Times Media Wire

Johnny Coria was fatally shot in the Little Village neighborhood Friday afternoon.

Coria, 19, was walking in the 3000 block of South Kedvale Avenue when a gunman walked up and opened fire about 4:40 p.m. Friday, authorities said.

Coria, of an unidentified home address, was shot in the chest and died at Mount Sinai Hospital less than an hour later, authorities said.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Omar Flores has died after being shot in the head Tuesday afternoon in the Albany Park neighborhood.

Flores, 31, was sitting in the passenger's seat of a car parked in the 4700 block of North Lawndale Avenue when two gunmen walked up and opened fire about 3:10 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said.

Flores, of the 4800 block of North Avers Avenue, was shot in the head and died at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Presence Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office, which ruled the death a homicide.

Police said the gunmen, who were wearing black and gray hooded sweatshirts, ran away after the shooting. Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area North detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

BY TINA SFONDELES
Chicago Sun-Times

The mother of slain teen Demario Bailey had a message for the thousands of mourners at his funeral Saturday.

“Today, I ask of you all to live and not die, for my son,” Delores Bailey said. “The way you can do that for me is to just love all your babies. You all want to change the world? Your kids are the world. It starts with them.”

Delores Bailey sat near the front of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church with her family, including Demario’s twin brother Demacio, dressed in his Johnson College Prep uniform.

Hundreds of Demario’s classmates and friends packed the church. At one point, dozens of the school’s basketball players and cheerleaders put on t-shirts which read “Live And Not Die” and “Get Us Home.”


Demario Bailey's funeral / Photo by Al Podgorski

Just days shy of his 16th birthday, Demario was killed Dec. 13 when four teens shot and robbed him of his winter coat near 63rd and State streets. Demario was going with his brother to Demacio’s high school basketball practice. They were walking the rest of the way to school after getting off a bus.

The four teens have been charged as adults in his death.

On Saturday, Delores Bailey’s words brought mourners to their feet. Many were recording her eulogy. She told them God is working within her to send a message.

“I promised myself when I see them lay my baby on the ground that I would stand up because he couldn’t,” Delores Bailey said. “They took one of mine. I’m coming for a thousand one of theirs. One of mine didn’t make it through the tunnel, but a 101 will if I got something to do with it.”

Demario Bailey / Submitted photo

The mourning mother has asked the city and Mayor Rahm Emanuel for cars to transport children in Englewood to their extra-curricular activities, to prevent what happened to Demario from ever happening again. Delores Bailey has vowed to fight for the children of her neighborhood.

“God knew I was going to stand up to fight,” Delores Bailey said. “I ain’t going nowhere. If I got to put them in a Neon, I’m going to bring them home.”

She said she doesn’t question why God took away her son. And she urged parents to love and pay attention to their children.

“I will not be selfish,” she said. “He gave me 16 years, and I won’t ask for nothing else. I will not even question my God. But who I will question is every person in this room. Stand up for your kids. We have been there, done that. They are our future. Without them, we ain’t nothing ... I want you to stand up and hug your child. Love your child. Be there for your child. And no matter what they do, love them anyway.”

She also had a message for the four teens charged with her son’s murder.

“To the boys that took my babies, I’m sorry. I wish I would have had a chance to love on ya’ll,” Delores Bailey said. “I’m sorry that you all got to spend the rest of your life in prison because your mama didn’t love you. And you can say that mamas ain’t go nothing to do with it. The devil is a liar. Because if you love them, they wouldn’t pick up no gun and blow out nobody’s brains.”

Demario Bailey's funeral / Photo by Al Podgorski

Demario’s grandmother Bernice Fitzpatrick also made her grandson’s death a call for parents to lead their children into good lives, lives rid of crime and full of purpose.

“Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, anybody that can help, get your babies,” Fitzpatrick said. “I want to say get your babies, because they’re dying like dogs. If you love them, if you care for them, the devil can’t snatch them.”

Fitzpatrick reminded mourners that her grandson died protecting someone he loved.

“We raised him to be honorable. He protected his brother. He wouldn’t let nobody steal his pride and dignity,” Fitzpatrick said.

Emanuel sat several rows behind the family, paying his respects to Demario, hugging Delores Bailey and kneeling to speak with her for several minutes before the service.

Emanuel spoke during the service, pausing often to collect himself. The mayor’s 17-year-old son was himself a robbery victim Friday night outside the family’s Ravenswood home.

“There’s an angel in this room. He’s one of God’s angels, and he’s lying down. But he stands tall among us,” Emanuel said. “There’s nothing in this room when you see the love, when you see the passion, and you see the strength. This room is stronger than what is out there, with the hatred. Don’t ever allow this love, this passion and this strength to think it’s less than the darkness and the evil that sometimes lurks out there.”

The mayor also urged Chicagoans to “do better.”

“We will not be who we are and can be to these children, to these young souls if Ravenswood is not as pained as Roseland; if Englewood is not as angry as Woodlawn; and if Sauganash is not hurt as much as South Shore,” Emanuel said. “These are Chicagoans and God’s children, and we must take this as our measure because Delores is not the only one being challenged and called upon. All of us are being called upon.”

Demario’s classmates shared stories about the teen: his girlfriend sharing her excitement when she first learned he shared her affection; a friend recalling a day Demario cheered him up on a bad day; and another friend sharing a story about Demario knocking on his bedroom window to wake him up for school, then blaming it on a cat.

At the end of the service, Pastor John Harrah brought the teens in the church up to use Demario’s “casket as an altar,” asking them to vow to have God in their lives and to do good in Demario’s name.