Scene where Marsalis Holman was shot / Photo from NVP

Marsalis Holman has died after being shot the North Lawndale neighborhood late Sunday.

Holman, 29, was shot in the head when an argument turned violent in the 1300 block of South Kolin Avenue about 10:50 p.m. Sunday, authorities said.

Holman, who lived on the block, was declared dead at 10:52 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Damita Collins / Photo from LinkedIn

BY JORDAN OWEN AND REEMA AMIN
Sun-Times Media

A South Side pre-school administrator was fatally stabbed during a domestic fight in the Ashburn neighborhood Monday night, authorities said.

Damita Collins, 54, was stabbed once in the chest in the 3500 block of West 77th Place about 9:45 p.m. Monday, authorities said. Police described the attack as a “domestic-related incident.”

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

Collins was the site director of Trumbull Park Head Start Program, part of the Ada S. McKinley schools.

“It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Damita Collins,” according to a letter distributed to school staff.

“Damita was involved in a fatal incident last night. Police are overseeing the matter. Our hearts go out to her family, the letter said.” The school has also made grief counseling available.

A spokesperson for the McKinley schools declined to comment on Collins’ death Tuesday afternoon.

A 26-year-old man was taken into custody and charges are pending Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Area South detectives are investigating.

Two men were killed and a boy was wounded in a Monday afternoon shooting in the South Shore neighborhood.

Joe Bennett, Corie Williams and a 14-year-old boy were were standing outside in the 2200 block of East 79th Street when a gunman walked up and opened fire about 3:20 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

Bennett, 19, of the 8000 block of South Chappel Avenue, was shot in the head and dead at the scene, authorities said.

Williams, 18, of the 7900 block of South East End Avenue, was shot in the head and died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, authorities said.

The 14-year-old boy was shot in both legs and taken to Jackson Park Hospital and Medical Center for treatment, according to police.

Nobody has been charged for the murders.

Area South detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

James Gonnigan / Photo from Cook County sheriff's office

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

James Gonnigan was "playing" with Marsalis Holman when he accidentally fatally shot him in the head Sunday night at their North Lawndale home, prosecutors said.

On Sunday, Gonnigan took a gun from his home in the 1300 block of South Kolin Avenue and told his girlfriend that somebody tried to rob him, said Assistant State's Attorney Barry Quinn.

Others in the house reported hearing Gonnigan and Holman, 20, talking and laughing in the kitchen -- then a single gunshot, Quinn said.

After the shooting, Gonnigan ran into a bedroom and told his girlfriend and her acquaintance that he shot Holman, Quinn said. The group found Holman lying in a pool of blood and Gonnigan's uncle called 911, prosecutors said.

Holman, who also lived in the home, was shot in the left temple and had the bullet lodged in his brain, Quinn said. Paramedics took him to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was declared dead at 10:52 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Police found Gonnigan in the living room with five .38-caliber bullets and he was taken into custody, Quinn said. Gonnigan told detectives he and Holman were playing in the kitchen when he pointed the gun at Holman's head and accidentally shot him, prosecutors said.

Scene where Marsalis Holman was shot / Photo from NVP

Gonnigan, 25, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and appeared in court for a Wednesday bond hearing wearing blue jeans and a navy blue Chicago Cubs sweatshirt.

Gonnigan's lawyer described Gonnigan and Holman as "dear friends."

"He was as close to a family member as you can have without being a blood relative," Gonnigan's lawyer said.

The lawyer noted that Gonnigan, a lifelong Chicago resident, stayed on the scene and has a 2-year-old son and another child on the way. He is a high school graduate who attended college for a year and currently works at a food processing plant in southwest suburban Broadview.

On Wednesday, Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil ordered Gonnigan held on $100,000 bond and issued a next court date of Jan. 26.

Andre Brown / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

A Southwest Side man fatally stabbed his 54-year-old mother Monday night because she kept "putting him down and telling him that he needed to get a girlfriend," prosecutors said.

Assistant State's Attorney Jamie Santini claimed Andre Brown stabbed Damita Collins in the chest and slit her throat in a home they shared in the 3500 block of West 77th Place.

Collins was the site director of Trumbull Park Head Start Program, part of the Ada S. McKinley schools.

Santini said Collins' husband was in the basement eating dinner and watching television when he heard several loud noises upstairs about 9 p.m. Monday. A police source said the man was watching the Bulls game.

The man went upstairs and found his bedroom door locked, but before he could open it with the key, Brown yanked the door open and forced his way out, Santini said.

Inside the bedroom, the man found his wife lying on the floor in a pool of blood, Santini said.

The man chased Brown, his step-son, but he eventually fled the home and drove off in his mother's car, Santini said.

The man called 911 and attempted to help his wife, who died at the scene, authorities said.

Investigators found a defensive wound on Collins' thumb and a bloody knife in a butcher block in the kitchen, Santini said.

On Tuesday, McKinley schools sent a letter to staff and offered grief counseling available.

“It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Damita Collins. Damita was involved in a fatal incident last night. Police are overseeing the matter. Our hearts go out to her family,” the letter said.

Damita Collins / Photo from LinkedIn

Police arrested Brown, 26, on Tuesday, authorities said. He had cuts on his hands and face, as well as blood on his hands, shoes and clothes, Santini said.

Brown gave a videotaped statement to detectives admitting to stabbing his mother during an argument because she put him down and said he needed a girlfriend, Santini said.

Assistant Public Defender Chandra Smith said Brown is a life-long Illinois resident who completed high school and attended some college classes. He is single with no children, she said.

On Wednesday, Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil ordered Brown held on $1 million bond and issued a next court date of Jan. 27.

-- Contributing: Jordan Owen and Reema Amin

Dominic Delk, 25, was fatally shot Dec. 27 in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. Reader "Rochelle" posted this about him:

My heart goes out to my co-worker's family, because he didnt have to die. He reminded me so much of my brothers. I am really going to miss u dominic.... :(...#R.I.P

Scene where Chinedu Madu was shot / Video from NVP

A 51-year-old cab driver was fatally shot during a robbery Thursday night in the North Lawndale community.

Chicago Carriage Cab driver Chinedu Madu was shot in the chest in the 1200 block of South Albany Avenue about 8:45 p.m., authorities said.

Madu, of the 500 block of East 33rd Place, was later declared dead at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Chicago Carriage Cab, which is based on the South Side, has more than 100 drivers, said dispatcher Stephanie Jackson.

"When I got in I saw a memo that we had a driver involved in a murder incident," Jackson said. "It’s terrible."

Chicago Carriage Cab issued the following statement on Friday:

Edward Sheinin, COO of Chicago Carriage Cab, said today that the killing last night of one of Carriage’s drivers, Chinedu Lambert, 51, is a tragedy. We extend our prayers and condolences to his wife, Vivian and young son. Mr. Madu has been a driver with Chicago Carriage Cab for many years and had a reputation as an outstanding and conscientious driver. Along with his many friends here at Chicago Carriage Cab, we hope that whoever was responsible for his murder will be apprehended quickly. As the investigation continues, Chicago Carriage Cab will assist the Chicago Police Department in any way that it can. Again, our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends and they remain in our prayers.

Area North detectives are investigating, but nobody has been charged for the murder.

The last cab driver killed on the job happened in March 2013 when 48-year-old Edwin Obazuaye was robbed then shot to death by two men he picked up in the 0 to 100 block of West 91st Street, authorities said.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Faramarz Bakhshi / Photo from Chicago Police

A California man has been charged with murder in the death of a Harold Washington College student whose decomposed body was found in a Pilsen apartment in March 2013.

Faramarz Bakhshi, 23, of Whittier, Calif., was charged with fisrt-degree murder and concealment of a homicide for the death of 29-year-old Michelle Manalansan, authorities said.

Bakhshi was named a “person of interest” shortly after Manalansan was found dead about 9 a.m. March 17, 2013, in an apartment in the 1400 block of West Cullerton Street, authorities said.

Michelle Manalansan / Photo from Chicago Police

Manalansan had been missing since Feb. 9, 2013, after last being seen jogging near her home in the 300 block of East South Water Street, police said.

Bakhshi fled Illinois after the murder, but was ultimately traced to California, where he was arrested, police said. He was extradited to Illinois this week and is expected to appear in bond court Saturday.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Scene where Michael Harrison was shot / Video from NVP

Michael Harrison was killed in a West Garfield Park shooting that left another man wounded Friday night.

The men were standing on a sidewalk in the 0-100 block of South Kostner Avenue when gunfire erupted about about 10:40 p.m. Friday, police said.

Harrison, 35, of the 2700 block of West Jackson Boulevard, was shot in the abdomen and died at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County at 12:29 a.m., authorities said.

The other man, 31, was shot in the left calf and right ankle, police said. He took himself to Rush University Medical Center for treatment, police said.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area North detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Faramarz Bakhshi / Photo from Chicago Police

BY ASHLEE REZIN
Chicago Sun-Times

A former Chicago man was ordered held without bond Saturday after prosecutors claimed he killed a woman in 2013, stuffed her body in an air mattress at his Pilsen apartment then fled to California.

Faramarz Bakhshi, 23, of Delano, Calif., is charged with first-degree murder and concealment of a homicide in the death of 29-year-old Michelle Manalansan.

Bakhshi was sought for questioning shortly after his former roommate found Manalansan’s decomposed body March 17, 2013, at the apartment they had shared in the 1400 block of West Cullerton Street, authorities said.

Manalansan, a Harold Washington College student, had been missing since Feb. 9, 2013.

Bakhshi is accused of killing Manalansan by striking her in the head and leaving her body in his bedroom.

A downstairs neighbor reported hearing “running and then a slamming on the ground," Assistant State’s Attorney Robert Mack said in court Saturday.

Two days after the killing, a cleaning company went to Manalansan’s apartment in the 300 block of East South Water Street, and Bakhshi would not let them in, authorities said.

Michelle Manalansan / Photo from Chicago Police

That night, someone saw Bakhshi leave Manalansan’s building with her dog, according to Mack, who said Bakhshi later dropped the dog off with his sister, who bought him a train ticket to California on Feb. 15, 2013, so he could move there to live with their mother. Mack said Bakhshi told his mother that Manalansan died of an overdose.

Bakhshi’s roommate discovered the decomposed body when he started to clean Bakhshi’s room “because he couldn’t stand the smell any longer," Mack said.

He said that months after Manalansan's death, Bakhshi posted on Facebook, “It’s only murder if they find the body; otherwise it’s a missing person. Just a thought ... ”

Bakhshi, a Loyola Academy graduate who attended more than two years at the University of Chicago, was convicted of two burglaries in California in 2014 and 2011, Mack said.

Bakhshi will be back in court Monday.

Tyrese Bell / Photo from Chicago Police

A West Side man on probation for a drug conviction allegedly shot and killed a cab driver in the North Lawndale neighborhood Thursday night, authorities said.

Tyrese Bell, who turned 24 Sunday, was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery to a peace officer, police said.

Bell is accused of shooting 51-year-old Chicago Carriage Cab driver Chinedu Madu in the chest during a robbery in the 1200 block of South Albany Avenue about 8:45 p.m. Thursday, authorities said.

Madu, of the 500 block of East 33rd Place, died at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Chicago Carriage Cab, which is based on the South Side, has more than 100 drivers, said dispatcher Stephanie Jackson.

“When I got in I saw a memo that we had a driver involved in a murder incident,” Jackson said. “It’s terrible.”

Chicago Carriage Cab issued the following statement on Friday:

Edward Sheinin, COO of Chicago Carriage Cab, said today that the killing last night of one of Carriage’s drivers, Chinedu Lambert, 51, is a tragedy. We extend our prayers and condolences to his wife, Vivian and young son. Mr. Madu has been a driver with Chicago Carriage Cab for many years and had a reputation as an outstanding and conscientious driver. Along with his many friends here at Chicago Carriage Cab, we hope that whoever was responsible for his murder will be apprehended quickly. As the investigation continues, Chicago Carriage Cab will assist the Chicago Police Department in any way that it can. Again, our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends and they remain in our prayers.

Scene where Chinedu Madu was shot / Video from NVP

The United Taxidrivers Community Council also issued a statement Friday focusing on the dangers of driving a cab.

“Perhaps this tragic event can lead to improvements in the security of cab drivers,” the statement said.

Bell, of the 1200 block of South Albany Avenue, is scheduled to appear in bond court Sunday.

He was sentenced to 18 months in prison in October 2014 for possession of a controlled substance, according to court records. He was credited with 280 days of time served at Cook County Jail and was ordered mandatory supervision for a year.

He was convicted of the same drug charge in 2010, 2011 and 2012, according to court records. In 2008, he was sentenced to four years in prison for robbery.

The United Taxidrivers Community Council said it is working with the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection to address security concerns.

The group will be launching a fundraising campaign for Madu’s family, according to their statement.

The last cab driver killed on the job happened in March 2013 when 48-year-old Edwin Obazuaye was robbed then shot to death by two men he picked up in the 0 to 100 block of West 91st Street, authorities said.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Five men were fatally shot and a woman was stabbed to death last week in Chicago.

The most recent killing happened when 35-year-old Michael Harrison was shot while standing on a sidewalk in the 0-100 block of South Kostner Avenue in the West Garfield Park neighborhood about 10:40 p.m. Friday, authorities said.

Harrison, 35, of the 2700 block of West Jackson Boulevard, was shot in the abdomen and died at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County at 12:29 a.m., authorities said. A 31-year-old man was also wounded, police said.

On Thursday, 51-year-old Chicago Carriage Cab driver Chinedu Madu was shot in the chest during a robbery in the 1200 block of South Albany Avenue in the North Lawndale community about 8:45 p.m., authorities said.

Madu, of the 500 block of East 33rd Place, died at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Tyrese Bell, 24, of the 1200 block of South Albany Avenue, was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery to a peace officer, police said.

On Tuesday, Joe Bennett, Corie Williams and a 14-year-old boy were shot while were standing in the 2200 block of East 79th Street in the South Shore neighborhood when a gunman walked up and opened fire about 3:20 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

Bennett, 19, of the 8000 block of South Chappel Avenue, was shot in the head and dead at the scene, authorities said.

Williams, 18, of the 7900 block of South East End Avenue, was shot in the head and died at Christ Medical Center, authorities said.

The 14-year-old boy was shot in both legs and taken to Jackson Park Hospital and Medical Center for treatment, according to police.

On Monday, 24-year-old Larry Edwards was sitting in a parked car in the 9300 block of South Burnside Avenue in Chatham when a group exited an alley and at least one person opened fire about 11:40 p.m., authorities said.

Edwards, of the 1300 block of West 109th Street, was struck by the gunfire and died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn about an hour later, according to the medical examiner’s office.

The killing started about 9:45 p.m. Monday when Andre Brown fatally stabbed his 54-year-old mother at their home in the 3500 block of West 77th Street about 9:45 p.m. Monday because she kept “putting him down and telling him that he needed to get a girlfriend,” prosecutors said.

The woman, Damita Collins, died at the scene in her Ashburn home, authorities said. was the site director of Trumbull Park Head Start Program, part of the Ada S. McKinley schools.

Brown is being held on $1 million bond.

Additionally, 20-year-old Marsalis Holman died Tuesday after prosecutors said his friend James Gonnigan accidentally shot him dead Sunday night in their home in the 1300 block of South Kolin Avenue in the North Lawndale neighborhood. Gonnigan, 25, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and ordered held on $100,000 bond.

Overall, the medical examiner’s office has ruled at least eight Chicago deaths in 2015 a homicide.

Dominique Brown / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

One man was killed and another was wounded when an argument that started in a West Garfield Park barber shop turned violent Friday night.

Michael Harrison, 35, was at a barber shop in the 0-100 block of South Kostner Avenue on Friday when an argument erupted because a man accused Harrison and his friend of stealing drugs, said Assistant State's Attorney Jamie Santini.

The man who accused Harrison of stealing the drugs eventually left the barber shop with three acquaintances, but all four returned a short time later armed with loaded guns, Santini said.

The accuser and one of his acquaintances, Dominique Brown, approached Harrison and his friend outside the barbershop and opened fire about 10:30 p.m., Santini said.

Harrison and his friend attempted to avoid the "hail of gunfire" by hiding behind a car, but both men were struck, Santini said.

Harrison, of the 2700 block of West Jackson Boulevard, was shot in the abdomen and died at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County at 12:29 a.m. Saturday, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

His friend, 31, was shot in the left calf and right ankle, police said. He took himself to Rush University Medical Center for treatment, police said.

The gunmen ran away after the shooting, but nearby police officers saw Brown running north on Kostner Avenue and gave chase, Santini said. He was arrested about two blocks away from the shooting.

During the chase, Brown allegedly tossed a .40-caliber handgun, which police recovered and matched to shell casings at the scene of the shooting, Santini said.

A nearby business captured the shooting on video, and tests found gunshot residue on Brown's hands and clothes, Santini said.

Scene where Michael Harrison was shot / Video from NVP

Brown, 22, gave a videotaped statement admitting to the shooting and he was charged with first-degree murder, authorities said.

His lawyer said Brown graduated from Manley Career Academy High School and has been working fulltime at Target for about three years. He has two children.

On Monday, Judge James Brown ordered him held on $2 million bond and issued a next court date of Jan. 30.

The other gunman has not yet been charged for the murder.

Tyrese Bell / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

A parolee admitted that he "f----- up" when he fatally shot a 51-year-old cab driver Thursday night in the North Lawndale community, prosecutors said.

Chicago Carriage Cab driver Chinedu Madu picked up Tyrese Bell and drove him to the 1200 block of South Albany Avenue, where Bell pulled out a handgun and shot Madu in the back of the head about 8:40 p.m. Thursday, authorities said.

Police initially described the attack as a robbery.

After being shot, Madu crashed into a parked vehicle and Bell got into the front seat, took the cab's camera and fled, said Assistant State's Attorney Enrique Abraham.

Madu, of the 500 block of East 33rd Place, was declared dead at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

A police camera captured Bell, 24, fleeing the cab and entering the gate of a nearby building, Abraham said.

Once inside the building, Bell put a .380 semi-automatic handgun next to a woman and asked her to keep the gun, Abraham said. Authorities did not identify the woman or her relationship to Bell.

The woman took the gun and the two walked to a bus stop, Abraham said. During the walk, Bell told the woman he "f----- up" and asked the woman to deny seeing him that day, prosecutors said.

Responding officers followed footprints in the snow from the cab to the building where Bell gave the woman the gun, according to Abraham, who said multiple witnesses identified Bell.

The woman allowed the officers to search the home and police recovered the gun, which was loaded with four 9 mm bullets and one .380 bullet, Abraham said. Two bullets recovered from Madu's body and two shell casings found in the cab matched that police recovered, prosecutors said.

Police arrested Bell and took him to Area Central, where he attacked three detectives, Abraham said.

Bell allegedly bit one detective on the right hand, another suffered a scratch to his left finger and a third suffered an undisclosed injury to the right hand, Abraham said. The alleged attack on the detectives was captured on video.

Bell, of the 1200 block of South Albany Avenue, was charged with first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer, authorities said. The woman who took the gun has not been charged.

Bell is currently on parole for a 2014 conviction for possession of a controlled substance, according to court records. He was convinced for the same charge in 2010, 2012 and 2013. He was also convicted on separate charges of robbery and possession of a stolen vehicle in 2008.

Bell has been married for three years and has two children, according to his lawyer. He currently works at the Rock N Roll McDonald's and is attempting to obtain his G.E.D.

On Monday, Judge James Brown ordered Bell held without bond and issued a next court date of Jan. 30.

Scene where Chinedu Madu was shot / Video from NVP

After learning of Madu's death, Chicago Carriage Cab issued the following statement on Friday:

Edward Sheinin, COO of Chicago Carriage Cab, said today that the killing last night of one of Carriage’s drivers, Chinedu Lambert, 51, is a tragedy. We extend our prayers and condolences to his wife, Vivian and young son. Mr. Madu has been a driver with Chicago Carriage Cab for many years and had a reputation as an outstanding and conscientious driver. Along with his many friends here at Chicago Carriage Cab, we hope that whoever was responsible for his murder will be apprehended quickly. As the investigation continues, Chicago Carriage Cab will assist the Chicago Police Department in any way that it can. Again, our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends and they remain in our prayers.

The United Taxidrivers Community Council also issued a statement Friday focusing on the dangers of driving a cab.

“Perhaps this tragic event can lead to improvements in the security of cab drivers,” the statement said.

The United Taxidrivers Community Council said it is working with the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection to address security concerns.

The group will be launching a fundraising campaign for Madu’s family, according to their statement.

The last cab driver killed on the job happened in March 2013 when 48-year-old Edwin Obazuaye was robbed then shot to death by two men he picked up in the 0 to 100 block of West 91st Street, authorities said.

Shamar Thompson was fatally shot Dec. 15 in the Englewood neighborhood. Reader "Eli" posted this about the killing:

everytime i turn around somebody i know gets shot & dies, its always happening & nobody cares unless its affecting the rich

Joseph Lewis / Family photo

BY KENNY NGUYEN AND CHANTELLE NAVARRO
Homicide Watch Chicago

Joseph Lewis was working his way up at a remodeling company, and considered going back to school to study engineering to advance his career, family said.

"He was hired at Frank Gibson’s [Total Remodeling & Design] as a beginner. He probably didn’t know how to hold a hammer right, but he got the job, was put to work and he picked it up easily," said Lewis' father, Bernard Lewis. "He was interested in engineering. He knew that was a big challenge because it involved a lot of math."

Joseph Lewis, 23, will never get the chance to go back to school after he was fatally shot Aug. 25 in the 5000 block of South Winchester Avenue in the Back of the Yards community, authorities said.

Joseph Lewis was on his way to work when he was shot in the abdomen during a drive-by shooting, according to his father, who said his son tried to run away, but the attackers exited the vehicle and kept shooting.

Joseph Lewis was on his way to work when he was shot, according to his father, who believes gang members mistook his son for somebody else.

"This other kid and my son both looked like Sean Paul, and they resembled each other in height and stature," Bernard Lewis said. "I’ve seen this kid before in the neighborhood going in and out of the stores. They were after him -- not my son."

When he wasn't working, Joseph Lewis enjoyed singing and listening to rap music, his father said.

"He considered himself a wannabe rapper. He liked to take lyrics and twist them," his father said. "I would be sleeping in the basement and he would be singing upstairs ... I kind of chuckled to myself."

Before taking the remodeling job, Joseph Lewis attended Tilden Career Academy High School, where he was an average student who made youthful mistakes, his father said.

Joseph Lewis / Photo from Facebook

"Joseph made mistakes in his younger life, but he was always raised right and found his religion in God and Christ," his father said.

Bernard Lewis said he often talked with his son about his path in life.

"He liked the conversations we would have because it helped him make wise decisions along the way," Bernard Lewis said. "Most of our conversations were about second chances, his moral values, principles, family matters and religious talks. He and I always had conversations, and this is one thing I will miss about him."

In addition to his father, Joseph Lewis is survived by three brothers and four sisters. The family has been homeless the past two months after their home of 23 years caught fire, Bernard Lewis said.

“Joseph was a good kid, son, and had a good heart. He was just learning the philosophy of life and making wise decisions,” his father said.

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

Matthew Dowdell, 42, was fatally shot Dec. 16 in the West Englewood neighborhood. Reader "Cris" posted this about him:

R.I.P Matt, He was such a cool neighbor. Giving my condolences for his family.

Rene Arredondo was killed in a Brighton Park neighborhood shooting that also left another man seriously wounded Tuesday evening.

The men were shot in the 4200 block of South Rockwell Street about 5 p.m., police said. The shooting happened near Shield Elementary School.

Arredondo, 31, of the 4500 block of South Rockwell Street, was shot in the head and later died at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

The other man, 18, was shot in the arm and back, police said. He was taken in serious condition to Mount Sinai Hospital.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

BY EMILY BROSIOUS
Homicide Watch Chicago

Darrell Tolbert was a "momma's boy" who, earlier this year, elaborately decorated an entire wall of his mother's home with carefully composed photos and artfully arranged notes for her birthday.

His mother never got the chance to return the favor because Tolbert was fatally shot Nov. 4 in the 600 block of North Avers Avenue in the West Garfield Park neighborhood, authorities said. He would have turned 37 about a month later, and his mother had already started the birthday preparations.

"I was preparing in my dining room for [a] celebration with his family," his mother, Larain Tolbert, said. "This is the first birthday in 37 years that he won’t be here. I just want to celebrate with my family and let my son know that he’s with me in spirit always."

Growing up, Darrell Tolbert enjoyed watching cartoons and playing sports, especially football. Other hobbies included music, and he enjoyed singing and rapping for fun.

Darrell Tolbert, a father of two, was a family man who always remained close to his mother and spent a lot of time at her home.

"He was really close with me. We were like twins," his mother said. "He was just an awesome son -- a momma’s boy.

"He did everything for me. Never a question like 'why?' or 'what?' Anything I asked him to do, he did it right away."

When Darrell Tolbert wasn't spending time with his mother, he could often be found visiting his grandmother and sister on the West Side.

Larain Tolbert said her son was killed near his sister's home after a confrontation with a neighborhood drug dealer.

"The story I get, is that [a] young guy took it upon himself to avenge the little disagreement," she said. "He shot my son in cold blood."

Larain Tolbert said her family believes they who killed her son, and she told police, but no witnesses have yet come forward.

"I have no witnesses for justice for my son," she said. "Everybody knows what happened, but no one is talking."

Darrell Tolbert / Photo from Facebook

Larain Tolbert said the hardest part is knowing that her 2-year-old grandson will grow up without a father.

"I don’t think he understands, because he still looks for him," she said. "When he comes in the house, he runs back there to where his dad used to sleep. And I just explain to him, he in heaven."

Larain Tolbert said her own mother has cancer, but it is too risky for her visit her West Side home since her son's murder.

"It’s hard for me because I hear so much ... I hear that they’re walking around saying they have bond money and they’re armed and dangerous," she said. "I have to get in the car, pick my mom up and get away from there because I just don’t want to go around."

Despite the difficulties, Larain Tolbert says she is staying strong for her family, whom she hopes can find forgiveness and peace because that is what her son would have wanted.

"I’m hurt by this, but I’m strong. I’ve been in church a long time," Larain Tolbert said. "I’ve accepted that my son is not coming back and I put my life in God’s hands that I will see him some day."

A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood Tuesday night.

Terrell Campbell was walking through a vacant lot in the 300 block of East Pershing Road when two gunmen approached and opened fire about 9:50 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said.

Campbell, of the 8800 block of South Wabash Avenue, was shot in the abdomen, chest and legs, authorities said.

Paramedics took Campbell to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was declared dead, authorities said.

Nobody has been charged for the murder.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire