Angelo Bennett / Photo from Cook County sheriff's office

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

Angelo Bennett said all he’s ever wanted to do since he was charged with murdering a gentlemen’s club manager was apologize to the slain man’s family.

He got his chance on Wednesday.

“I pray for your forgiveness,” Angelo Bennett said, looking toward Charles E. Jones’ friends and relatives. “Sincerely from the depths of my being, I am sorry.”

Before Bennett was sentenced to 45 years in prison for killing Jones and wounding Jones’ fiancee, Jones’ cousin read a victim-impact statement written by Jones’ mother.

In the statement, Jones was described as a “gentle giant” and caring “mama’s boy” who respected women while Bennett was characterized as “deceitful,” a “menace” and “bad seed.”

Jones’ fiancee Kathy Bias said since the incident May 26, 2013, she can’t close her eyes without seeing Bennett chase and try to kill her as he did after a traffic dispute on Goose Island.

Bias said she feels lost without 42-year-old Jones, a “hero” who she had hoped to start a family with.

“You didn’t only put a hole in my back,” Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Paul Joyce said, reading Bias’ statement. “You put a hole in my heart.”

Judge Carol Howard said Jones may have initiated the physical altercation after his Maserati and Bennett’s Buick LaCrosse collided. But the fight had ended before Bennett decided to grab his .38-caliber revolver and shoot Bennett in the face and Bias in the back.

Bennett, 26, did not act in self-defense, the judge said, reiterating her ruling in Bennett’s bench trial in March.

Bennett’s mom stood by her son’s story while she defended him on the stand Wednesday.

“You did nothing wrong,” Geneva Bennett said, sobbing. “You wanted to live.”

“He’s a murderer,” one of Bennett’s relatives said under his breath as Geneva Bennett denied her son was a trigger-happy “thug.”

During his trial, Bennett said he initially tried exchanging information with Jones after a fender-bender but said Jones waved him off.

Bennett then drove away to the 1000 block of North Branch Street because he didn’t want officers investigating the crash to find the gun he had in the car.

Jones and Bias drove after Bennett. When Bennett’s friend asked to be let out of the Buick, Bennett hid his gun underneath another parked car.

Jones had physically attacked Bennett, but he eventually let Bennett go, according to court testimony. Still, Bennett was so incensed that Jones had confronted him, he went to get his gun and fired at the two victims without warning, prosecutors said.

Morial Ewing, 28, was fatally shot May 18 in the South Shore community. Reader Trina Davis posted this about him:

Im sorry I didn't try harder to keep my friend inside. He was a laid back,smooth,funny & cool dude. I talked with & seen him every day.He had warm eyes & the most Goregous smile. I'M SO SICK OF THIS VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC!!!!I WANT TO HELP STOP IT, JUST DON'T KNOW HOW

Kortillious Gipson / Photo from Chicago Police

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN AND JORDAN OWEN
Chicago Sun-Times

Samuel Walker Sr. was killed just six days after his 13-year-old namesake son was murdered.

While no one has been charged with the teenage boy’s shooting, the alleged gunman in the elder Walker’s murder was arrested this week.

Walker was killed in an ongoing territorial drug dispute between two gangs in Humboldt Park and knew his shooter, prosecutors said.

Kortillious Gipson had been chasing after 34-year-old Walker and Walker’s friend on the morning of July 31, 2014, Assistant State’s Attorney Barry Quinn said.

An AT&T worker saw Gipson running after the pair, as did an of-duty security guard who almost hit Gipson with his car at the mouth of an alley at Division Street between Karlov and Kedvale avenues, Quinn said.

Gipson pointed his gun at the security guard, who remained seated in his car, but then went on chasing his prey, authorities said.

Gipson caught up with Walker in the 4100 block of West Crystal Street, jumped on top of a parked vehicle and started firing, striking Walker in the head, buttocks and arm, Quinn said.

A neighbor who knew Gipson by his nickname “Toaster” saw the shooting and later identified him in a line-up, as did the friend who was being chased with Walker, Quinn said.

Samuel Walker Sr. / Family Photo

The security guard had also identified Gipson in a photo array weeks after the murder, Quinn said.

Gipson, 23, allegedly admitted to shooting Walker and chasing him and his friend because they had been threatening his family.

Surveillance video also captured Gipson chasing the men in a black hooded sweatshirt, Quinn said.

Walker had gang affiliations, according to police.

Judge Peggy Chiampas ordered Gipson, of the 1100 block of North Kedvale Avenue, held without bond Thursday.

Gipson, who has a 5-year-old child, has previous convictions for drug and weapons cases.

Walker's son was shot to death less than a week before when someone opened fire on a group in the 700 block of South California Avenue, according to police.

Six other people, including two other teenage boys, were wounded in the 6 p.m. shooting on July 25, 2014, near where a church group was holding a gathering for youth to pray and play games.

The teen was shot in the head and died at the scene, the medical examiner’s office said.

Shaquon Thomas / Photo from YouTube

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago

Chicago rapper Young Pappy, who had previously been the intended target in at least two shootings that left bystanders dead, was himself fatally shot early Friday in the Uptown neighborhood.

Shaquon Thomas, 19, was in the 4800 block of North Kenmore Avenue when gunfire erupted about 1:35 a.m., authorities said. Witnesses reported seeing a black car that may have been associated with the shooting, according to a statement from Ald. Harry Osterman (48th Ward).

The shooting happened across the street from St. Thomas of Canterbury Catholic church.

Paramedics took Thomas to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was declared dead at 2:04 a.m., authorities said.

Uptown resident Kristin Johnson said it is not unusual to hear gunshots in the neighborhood.

"I heard about 10 gunshots and went to the window to peek out, but I didn't see anything," Johnson said.

Johnson, 34, said she initially used to wonder if the loud noises in the neighborhood were gunshots or fireworks, but she has since become desensitized to them.

"I used to feel more safe [in Uptown] ... but I'm a mom now," Johnson said while holding her young child. "It's different when its just you."

Osterman said he has requested "additional security in our area to curb the possibility of retaliatory actions."

Thomas rapped under the moniker Young Pappy. The up-and-coming musician was not signed to a record label, but his song "Killa" has more than 250,000 views on YouTube. Another song, "Fanteo Freestyle," has nearly 225,000 views.

As word of the rapper's death spread, fans, including Cliff Alexander, a standout basketball player at Curie Metropolitan High School and the University of Kansas, took to social media to express their condolences:

The rapper was born on the North Side and makes music because "it puts him in a positive mood," according to his Facebook page.

Authorities listed Thomas' home address as the 6300 block of North Lakewood Avenue, but a resident at the building said he only occasionally stayed there with his father, who recently moved out.

Thomas' family could not be reached for comment.

"He was always happy, he always had everybody positive around him, always had a smile on his face," according to a friend, who is not being identified because he is a juvenile. "He was just happy all the time, hanging out with his friends. He was always cracking jokes."

According to the rapper's Facebook page, he hoped to use music to support his family and the family of a friend killed in street violence.

"He expressed all his feelings in his music, that's how he expressed himself," according to the friend. "That's how he let everything out basically."

Prior to his death, the rapper posted on his Facebook page: "All he wanted me to do was make it. He campaigned my music the hardest out of anybody I knew. I love bro and I'm gonna do this for him cause this what he wanted."

Thomas himself was no stranger to street violence and run-ins with the law.

In 2013, Thomas was sentenced to one year in prison for felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, according to court records. He was given credit for time served.

He also has numerous misdemeanor arrests, mostly recently a May 13 disorderly conduct and possession of cannabis charge, according to court records. According to DNAinfo Chicago, that charge came from a record release party that led to a five-hour police standoff and 31 people arrested.

Thomas had twice been the target in shootings that instead killed innocent bystanders William Lewis and Markeyo Carr, according to authorities and DNAinfo Chicago.

Police Tape where Shaquon Thomas was fatally shot.

Osterman confirmed that Thomas "had been a target in other gang-related shootings in Edgewater and Rogers Park."

Lewis, 28, was standing in the 1300 block of West Devon Avenue when a gunman walked up and shot him in the back about 3:20 p.m. July 12, authorities said.

Lewis escaped poverty in Guatemala when he was adopted at age 7. Loving parents raised him in Wisconsin, where he found his two passions: photography and the woman who would become his wife.

He attended art school in Milwaukee and moved to Chicago two years ago. Lewis and his wife moved into an apartment in the 4700 block of North Hermitage Avenue just two weeks before his death, according to a friend.

Prosecutors claim 31-year-old Conservative Vice Lord Eric Vaughn spotted a rival gang member, handed 15-year-old Denzel Burke a gun and Burke and 17-year-old Michael Phillips chased their rival through Rogers Park.

Burke fired 10 times, missing the rival but striking Lewis in the back as he stood at a nearby bus stop, prosecutors said.

On Feb. 5, 2014, a masked gunman fatally shot Carr, 17, and wounded three others in a McDonald’s parking lot in the 6700 block of North Clark Street.

The victims had been in an argument with another group of people shortly before the masked gunman approached, police said.

Jaunita Carr-Clay, Carr’s aunt, said her nephew loved to rap.

“He made little videos at home on his own,” she said. “He was very talented. He rapped about everyday life, reality.”

She said Carr, who attended a nearby high school, had just come from his mother’s house around the corner. “She’d given him a few dollars to get something to eat.”

Nobody has been charged for Carr's death.

A police spokeswoman declined to confirm Thomas' role in the deaths of Lewis and Carr, citing "an open and on-going investigation."

-- Contributing: Matt McCall

-- Network Video Productions

Chicago Police are asking for the public’s help to identify a man suspected in the fatal shooting of Glenn Houston Jr. in December 2014 at a Chatham grocery.

Houston, 23, was in the Eberhart Food Store at 457 E. 79th St. when a gunman walked in and started shooting about 3:15 p.m. Dec. 23, 2014, authorities said.

Houston, of the 7700 block of South Rhodes Avenue, was shot in the chest multiple times and died at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County less than an hour later, authorities said.

On Friday, police released surveillance video of a person they believe is the shooter.

The suspect is described as 5-foot-10, 190-pound man in his early 20s with a medium complexion, short black hair and facial hair, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Area South detectives at (312) 747-8271.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Carlos Herrera was found stabbed to death inside his burning West Elsdon home Thursday afternoon.

Emergency crews found 22-year-old Carlos Herrera and 49-year-old Maria Herrera inside their home in the 3600 block of West 55th Place about 2:50 p.m. Thursday, authorities said.

The blaze was initially reported as an explosion, but investigators later learned there was only a fire, according to a source.

Detectives believe the deaths may have stemmed from a home invasion, and that the fire was intentionally set, according to police. Fire officials said the cause of the fire was still under investigation.

An autopsy determined Carlos Herrera died of multiple stab wounds and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Autopsy results for Maria Herrera were inconclusive pending further investigation, according to the medical examiner's office.

Nobody has been charged for the killing.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

A 52-year-old man collapsed and died after a Thursday night “scuffle” in the Austin neighborhood, police said.

John L. Rainey got into a fight with another man about 11 p.m. in the 300 block of North Menard Avenue and collapsed afterwards, authorities said.

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

An autopsy determined Rainey died a “sudden death following scuffle” caused by hypertensive and heart disease. Diabetes was also listed as a contributing factor, according to the medical examiner’s office, which ruled the death a homicide.

Nobody has been charged for the killing.

Area North detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Jose Velasquez was shot to death in the Little Village neighborhood early Saturday.

Velasquez, 24, was shot in the back in the 2100 block of South Fairfield Avenue about 12:05 a.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Velasquez, of the 2800 block of West 21st Street, died at Mount Sinai Hospital at 1:41 a.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Nobody has been charged for the killing.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

A 43-year-old man was stabbed to death in a Pilsen bar early Saturday.

Rodolfo "Rudy" Avina was inside Simone's Bar in the 900 block of West 18th Street when he was stabbed in the neck about 12:40 a.m., authorities said.

Avina, of the 700 block of North Franklin Street, died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Avina, a regular at Simone’s, was sitting at the bar when a man walked up and slashed Avina's throat in front of other customers, manager Christopher Muscat told NBC5 Chicago.

Cafe Jumping Bean at 1439 W. 18th St. posted the following statement on it's Facebook page:

There are never enough words to express the intense pain and sorrow that we feel in losing a loved one, and more so when we feel great injustice in this loss. It is difficult to comprehend the senseless violence that contradicts the love, joy, and hope we work so hard to build each and every day in our community...
When Cafe Jumping Bean opened its doors just over 21years ago, Rudy Avina, who lived in this very building, welcomed us into the neighborhood and taste-tested for for us what would become the Cafe's signature house blend. From that moment forward, Rudy was not just a "Regular", but grew to become one our most beloved and trusted friends. When you've been in business this long, your long-standing customers become your family. I know that I speak on behalf of all our Jumping Bean family, who over so many years had the honor and joy of witnessing and experiencing the absolute inspirational energy that Rudy exuded. He was an exceptionally loving father to his three wonderful children, Mia, Sofia, and Carlos; crazy about his love, Erin; a successful small-business owner; and a brother and dear friend to us all. Rudy was truly, one of the friendliest, kindest people anyone could ever meet, who never hesitated for a second to help someone in need. His profound kindness, his joy for love and life will stay with us forever. We express our sincerest and loving condolences to his family and all who were blessed to know him.
It's hard to believe we won't see you in the mornings for your coffee w/ice cubes and bagel. Thanks for all the years of love and spirit; for your smile, your "homie" discount, your camaraderie as a brother, and your kindness. See you on the other side, brotha-man. We love you, and will miss you.

As word of Avina's death spread, friends took to social media to express their condolences:

The bar has two rooms, two bars, a performance area and numerous booths, according to Simone's website.

Simone's is a unique bar and grill located in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It's a great place to grab a craft beer, cocktail and quality grub. We are also proud to feature local and national music talent, gallery and private events.

Police said a suspect was taken into custody, but no charges have been filed as of Saturday afternoon.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Staff, Network Video Productions

Kevin O'Malley / Photo from Facebook

BY MICHAEL LANSU AND GEORGE SLEFO
Chicago Sun-Times

Kevin O’Malley spent last week searching for the perfect gift for his girlfriend's upcoming birthday, a coworker said.

O'Malley won't get the chance to celebrate that birthday after the 25-year-old was shot to death early Saturday in the Lake View neighborhood.

Authorities said O'Malley got into a fight with another man in the 900 block of West Oakdale Avenue about 2 a.m.

During the fight, the other man pulled out a gun and shot O'Malley twice in the chest, authorities said. He died at the scene.

O'Malley, who grew up in south suburban Palos Park, lived on the North Side and worked in River North, according to a coworker, who asked to remain anonymous.

"He was a really nice guy. He always had a positive attitude and always liked to joke around," the coworker said. "He was very smart, but was one of those people that also didn't take things too seriously."

O'Malley enjoyed sports, especially the Sox and Bulls, the coworker said.

Kristopher Pitts / Photo from Chicago Police

Saturday evening, police announced that Kristopher K. Pitts was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm for the shooting. Police said the shooting might have stemmed from an armed robbery for a cell phone.

Pitts, 22, of the 1100 block of North Central Park Avenue, is expected to appear in court for a bond hearing on Sunday, police said.

After the shooting, authorities found his body in an alley underneath CTA train tracks, about a block east from a stretch of popular bars and restaurants on Sheffield Avenue.

Police said Pitts initially fled the scene, but was captured a short time later.

A man working nearby, who declined to give his name, said he did not hear any gunshots.

"The train comes and goes, and it’s loud," the man said. "It’s crazy something like this would happen here."

Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) said in an email to area residents there were multiple witness.

“I will continue to work with our Chicago Police Department and neighbors to do everything we can to keep our streets safe,” Tunney said.

Scene where Kevin O’Malley was shot dead / Photo by George Slefo

Jose Guzman / Photo from Chicago Police

Jose Guzman has been charged for his alleged role in a home invasion and arson that left two people dead last Thursday in the West Elsdon community.

Guzman, 20, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, home invasion causing great bodily harm, aggravated arson causing bodily harm and one count of robbery armed with a dangerous weapon, police said.

On Thursday, Emergency crews found 22-year-old Carlos Herrera and 49-year-old Maria Herrera inside their home in the 3600 block of West 55th Place about 2:50 p.m., authorities said.

The blaze was initially reported as an explosion, but investigators later learned there was only a fire, according to a source.

Police claim Guzman entered the home and set a couch on fire before he left.

An autopsy determined Carlos Herrera died of multiple stab wounds and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Autopsy results for Maria Herrera were inconclusive pending further investigation, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Guzman, of the 3800 block of West 55th Place, was taken into custody after detectives determined he was responsible for the deaths, police said.

He is scheduled to appear in court Sunday for a bond hearing.

Ulises Almaraz / Photo from Chicago Police

BY SUN-TIMES STAFF

Ulises Almaraz has been charged with murder for the early Saturday stabbing death of Rodolfo “Rudy” Avina at a popular Pilsen bar, authorities said.

Avina, a father of three who married into the family that owns the famed Nuevo Leon restaurant on 18th Street, was sitting at the bar at Simone’s, a popular spot in the 900 block of West 18th Street, when Almaraz walked up behind him and slit his throat, a relative said authorities said.

Avina, who lived blocks way, was dead at the scene.

Chicago Police Department spokeswoman Jennifer Rottner said Saturday night the attack “was unprovoked” and that Avina was “an innocent victim.”

Almaraz, 29, of Berwyn, was taken into custody after the stabbing and was charged with first-degree murder, police said. He is scheduled to appear in court Sunday for a bond hearing.

The violent death shocked the tight-knit community of Pilsen, where even the local mailman knew what had happened to a beloved community member. A framer by trade, the 43-year-old’s craftsmanship can be found throughout the National Museum of Mexican Art in the Near West Side neighborhood.

“Rudy was known because he had this great personality and a very kind and gentle soul,” said longtime friend Diana Solis, 59. “Rudy is going to leave a huge void in this community.”

“He was not somebody who wanted to get in trouble,” said longtime friend Cesario Moreno, the chief curator at the Mexican art museum. “He was a peace-loving father.”

Rudy Avina / Photo from ABC7 Chicago

Avina owned a framing business, Creativo Framing, in River North and worked with artists all around the city, Moreno said.

Avina had been friends with James Foley, the American journalist who was captured and killed by the Islamic State, Avina’s friends said. He helped organize a Pilsen mural for his slain friend, Solis said.

Avina was a vegetarian, loved to camp and was a musician who played the doumbek drum, friends said.

He was also the father of three teenagers — Mia, Carlos and Sofia, said Daniel Gutierrez Jr., whose family owns Nuevo Leon. Avina had been married to Gutierrez’s sister, but they had divorced.

Gutierrez Jr. said authorities told him surveillance video of the bar shows Avina having a beer or two at the bar and a “guy seems to be standing behind him for quite some time … and so he decided to slice his throat while he was sitting at the bar.”

An owner of Simone’s, Desiree Grant, said her staff is cooperating with the police.

Kristopher Claybon has died more than three months after he was shot near his West Englewood home.

Claybon, 33, was sitting in a vehicle parked outside his home in the 5700 block of South Hermitage Avenue when a gunman in a passing vehicle opened fire about 4:45 p.m. Feb. 16, authorities said.

Claybon was shot in the abdomen and both arms and was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, authorities said. He died at his home Saturday morning, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

An autopsy determined Claybon died of a blood clot and immobility due to the multiple gunshot wounds and the death was ruled a homicide, according to the medical examiner’s office said. Sepsis, a blood infection, was listed as a secondary cause of death.

A 37-year-old man who was sitting in the vehicle with Claybon was shot in the right shoulder and taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn for treatment, police said.

Nobody has been charged for the shooting.

Area South detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Demetrius P. Hill Jr. was fatally shot early Saturday in the South Shore neighborhood.

Hill, 19, was shot in the head in the hallway of a building in the 6800 block of South Ridgeland Avenue about 1:25 a.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Hill, of the 7100 block of South Constance Avenue, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he later died, 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

Kristopher Pitts / Photo from Chicago Police

BY SAM CHARLES
Chicago Sun-Times

Kristopher Pitts was ordered held without bond Sunday after prosecutors claim he fatally shot Kevin O'Malley during a robbery in the Lake View neighborhood.

Pitts robbed O’Malley of his cellphone and cash about 2 a.m. Saturday in the 900 block of West Oakdale Avenue, authorities said.

O’Malley chased after Pitts and, after the two began fighting, Pitts pulled out a small silver revolver and shot O’Malley twice in the chest, Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Cooper said.

O’Malley, 25, died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

O’Malley, who grew up in south suburban Palos Park, lived on the North Side and worked in River North, according to a coworker, who asked to remain anonymous. O’Malley enjoyed sports, especially the Sox and Bulls.

CTA surveillance video captured Pitts scaling a nearby building and climbing onto the Wellington Brown Line platform, where he was taken into custody, Cooper said.

When he was arrested, Pitts was only wearing one blue shoe. A matching shoe was found at the scene of the shooting, prosecutors said.

Kevin O'Malley / Photo from Facebook

O’Malley’s cellphone was found in Pitts’ pocket and three witnesses identified Pitts in a lineup, Cooper said.

Pitts, 22, of the 1100 block of North Central Park Avenue, was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm for the shooting.

Pitts was out on bond after he was charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer, Cooper said.

He will be back in court Monday.

Jose Guzman / Photo from Chicago Police

BY SAM CHALRES
Chicago Sun-Times

After leaving his bloody footprints all over a Southwest Side murder scene where he’d butchered his aunt and cousin, a 20-year-old man was found two blocks away at his mother’s home, hiding in the closet, prosecutors said.

Then Jose Guzman allegedly confessed that he’d killed his relatives “because he wanted to steal their gold.”

Charged with two counts each of first-degree murder, home invasion causing great bodily harm, aggravated arson and one count of armed robbery with a dangerous weapon, Guzman was denied bail Sunday by Judge Laura Sullivan.

He fatally stabbed his 49-year-old aunt, Maria Herrera, and his cousin Carlos Herrera on Thursday at their home in the 3600 block of West 55th Place, Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Cooper said.

Then he allegedly tried to torch the house.

Maria Herrera’s husband came home Thursday afternoon and saw smoke, Cooper said. He shouted for his wife, but got no response. But when he went into a bedroom, he found his son lying on the ground in a pool of blood, Cooper said. A butcher knife and bludgeon were found next to his body.

After yelling for neighbors to call police and paramedics, he went into the basement of the home and found his wife, also lying in a pool of blood with her legs tied together.

A bloody set of footprints led from where Carlos Herrera was found to another bedroom that appeared to have been ransacked, with dresser drawers pulled out and blood on the handles, Cooper said. A jewelry box was also open on top of the bed.

The footprints then led down to the basement, where Maria Herrera was found. A couch had been set on fire near her body and there was smoke damage in the basement, Cooper said.

Guzman lives with his parents less than two blocks west in the 3800 block of West 55th Place, authorities said. His mother came home Friday and found him in her closet with scratch marks to his ears neck and chest, Cooper said.

Guzman then admitted to his mother that “he is the one that killed them because he wanted to steal their gold,” Cooper said. He then asked his mother to help him flee to Michigan.

His mother instead called relatives, who in turn called the police. Bloody shoes matching the footprints found at the crime scene were found after police executed a search warrant at Guzman’s house, Cooper said.

According to his attorney, Guzman was diagnosed with depression two years ago.

Guzman is scheduled to appear in court again Monday.

Ulises Almaraz / Photo from Chicago Police

BY SAM CHARLES
Chicago Sun-Times

A 29-year-old man slit a man’s throat in a Pilsen bar because he believed the man was talking to his girlfriend, prosecutors said.

Ulises Almaraz, 29, of Berwyn, has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is also bipolar and stopped taking medication, according his attorney.

Almaraz was charged with one count of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of Rodolfo “Rudy” Avina in Simone’s Bar early Saturday.

Almaraz and a woman went to the bar at 960 W. 18th St. about 12:30 a.m. Saturday. While at the bar, the woman talked to both Almaraz and Avina, who she also knew, Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Cooper said.

While the woman was standing at the bar, Avina was seated to her left. Almaraz was behind them, pacing, Cooper said. Almaraz walked up to the woman and she gave Avina a hug.

Almaraz then grabbed Avina, 45, from behind and slit his throat with a knife before tackling him to the ground, Cooper said. Avina was also stabbed in the chest.

When the woman pulled Almaraz off Avina, she saw Almaraz holding a bloody knife, which she gave to a security guard, Cooper said. The security guard detained Almaraz until police arrived.

Surveillance video captured the entire attack, Cooper said.

Almaraz told police that he stabbed Avina because “he was talking to the defendant’s girl,” Cooper said.

Almaraz was ordered held without bond Sunday.

He is scheduled to appear in court again Monday.

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago

At least 14 people were killed throughout Chicago last week.

Seven of the killings happened over the weekend, when at least 24 other people were wounded by gunfire.

The most recent killings happened minutes apart on the West Side.

A 53-year-old man was fatally shot in the 4900 block of West Lake Street in the Austin community about 7:10 p.m. Sunday, police said. The Cook County medical examiner's office has not yet released his name.

Less than five minutes later, a 27-year-old man was shot while standing on a sidewalk in the 100 block of North Cicero Avenue in Austin, police said. The medical examiner's office has not yet released his name.

In the Chatham neighborhood, a 25-year-old man was standing in the 0 – 50 block of East 88th Street when a white van pulled up and a gunman inside opened fire about 12:15 p.m., police said.

The man, who has not yet been identified, was shot three times and died less than an hour later at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, authorities said.

On Saturday, 25-year-old Kevin O'Malley was shot in the chest during a cellphone robbery in the 900 block of West Oakdale Avenue in Lake View about 2 a.m., authorities said.

Kristopher Pitts, 22, of the 1100 block of North Central Park Avenue, was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm for the shooting, police said. He was ordered held without bond Sunday.

In the South Shore community, 19-year-old Demetrius P. Hill Jr. was shot in the head in the hallway of a building in the 6800 block of South Ridgeland Avenue about 1:25 a.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Hill, of the 7100 block of South Constance Avenue, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he later died, according to the medical examiner’s office.

In Pilsen, 43-year-old Rudy Avina was sitting at Simone’s Bar, a popular spot in the 900 block of West 18th Street, when Ulises Almaraz walked up behind him and slit his throat about 12:30 a.m. Saturday, authorities said. Avina, who lived blocks way, was dead at the scene.

Almaraz, of west suburban Berwyn, was ordered held without bond Sunday.

In Little Village, 24-year-old Jose Velasquez was shot in the back in the 2100 block of South Fairfield Avenue about 12:05 a.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Velasquez, of the 2800 block of West 21st Street, died at Mount Sinai Hospital at 1:41 a.m., according to the medical examiner’s office.

On Friday, 19-year-old Shaquon Thomas was in the 4800 block of North Kenmore Avenue when gunfire erupted about 1:35 a.m., authorities said.

Thomas, who rapped under the name Young Pappy, died at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center less than an hour later, authorities said.

On Thursday, 52-year-old John L. Rainey got into a fight with another man about 11 p.m. in the 300 block of North Menard Avenue in Austin and collapsed afterwards, authorities said.

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

An autopsy determined Rainey died a “sudden death following scuffle” caused by hypertensive and heart disease. Diabetes was also listed as a contributing factor, according to the medical examiner’s office, which ruled the death a homicide.

In West Elsdon, emergency crews found 22-year-old Carlos Herrera and 49-year-old Maria Herrera inside their burning home in the 3600 block of West 55th Place about 2:50 p.m., authorities said.

Prosecutors said 20-year-old Jose Guzman stabbed his aunt and cousin “because he wanted to steal their gold.” Guzman, who was found hiding in a closet at his home in the 3800 block of West 55th Place, was ordered held without bond.

On Monday, 17-year-old Ronnie Shaw Jr. was walking in the 4900 block of West Erie Street in Austin when a gunman confronted him and shot him as he tried to run away about 7:50 p.m., authorities said.

Shaw, of the 4900 block of West Ferdinand Street, died at Mount Sinai Hospital less than an hour later, according to the medical examiner’s office.

In the Bronzeville neighborhood, 19-year-old Robert Richmond was in a vehicle in the 0-100 block of East 36th Place when a gunman in a passing vehicle opened fire about 5:25 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

Richmond, of the 6100 block of South King Drive, was shot in the back and a family member took him to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where he was declared dead at about two hours later, authorities said.

The shooting happened less than a block from Perspectives/IIT Math and Science Academy at 3663 S. Wabash Ave. and about a block south of Chicago Police Headquarters at 3500 S. Michigan Ave.

The killing started when 29-year-old Felix Diaz was shot while sitting in a vehicle in the 4100 block of North Hamlin Avenue in the Irving Park community about 2:30 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

Diaz, of the 3300 block of West Belle Plaine Avenue, died at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center about two hours later, authorities said.

Additionally, 33-year-old Kristopher Claybon died Saturday after being shot while sitting in a vehicle parked outside his home in the 5700 block of South Hermitage Avenue about 4:45 p.m. Feb. 16, authorities said. Claybon's death was ruled a homicide.

In 2015, the medical examiner’s office has ruled at least 170 Chicago deaths a homicide, including one person fatally shot by police.

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago

Chicago Police reported nearly four dozen murders in May, and the city is averaging more than a killing a day so far this year.

The 46 slayings in May, as measured by the Chicago Police Department, are the most in any month this year, but the total is not out of the ordinary. Police reported 47 homicides in May 2013, and 50 in May 2012. There were 40 killings during the month last year.

Chicago now has 161 murders for the year — the highest total through the first five months of the year since 2012, when 208 people had been killed by June 1.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office, which has different guidelines for tallying deaths, reported an even higher total: 166 homicides, including one person fatally shot by police and two people who died this year after being shot in previous years. Forensic pathologists were scheduled to perform three more autopsies Monday on apparent gunshot victims.

The most recent killings happened minutes apart on the West Side.

A 53-year-old man was fatally shot in the 4900 block of West Lake Street in the Austin community about 7:10 p.m. Sunday. Less than five minutes later, a 27-year-old man was shot while standing on a sidewalk in the 100 block of North Cicero Avenue in Austin, police said. The medical examiner’s office has not yet released either man's name.

The Austin neighborhood — the city's most populous — has had the most killings this year with 13, according to medical examiner’s office data. South Shore and West Englewood have each had nine killings so far this year.

“We will continue to implement a smart policing strategy to improve the safety of our communities and our relationship with the residents we all serve,” Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said in a statement. “Today, we are building on our community policing philosophy, gathering more feedback from Chicagoans, putting more officers in high crime areas, and intervening in active gang conflicts.”

Just like murders, the number of shootings and shooting victims are at their highest point since 2012.

So far this year, police say 960 people have suffered gunshot wounds in 820 separate incidents.

In a press release announcing the crime statistics, police said the “ease of access to illegal guns in places with weaker gun purchasing laws ... continues to pose a challenge to public safety in Chicago.”

Police said they have recovered 2,783 illegal guns so far this year, a 13-percent increase from the same time last year.

Despite the rise in shootings and murders, police say “overall crime” is down 7 percent compared to the first five months of last year.

Joshua Hargrow / Photo from Chicago Police

BY ASHLEE REZIN
Sun-Times Media

Joshua Hargrow has been charged with murder in the Edgewater shooting death of 45-year-old John L. Myles in April 2014.

On April 19, 2014, Myles was shot multiple times as he was sat in a vehicle outside his apartment in the 1700 block of West Rosehill Drive about 11:30 a.m., authorities said.

Myles was taken to Presence Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, where died April 29, 2014, authorities said. His death was ruled a homicide.

Joshua Hargrow, 28, of the 700 block of North Dearbon Street, was arrested about 2 p.m. last Thursday and charged with first-degree murder in Myles death, authorities said.

On Saturday, Hargrow was ordered held without bond.

Myles’ niece, Katherine Myles, described her uncle as a “very happy person” who made friends easily.

Katherine Myles said her uncle taught her how to drive.

“When he got a new Firebird, he let me drive it,” Katherine Myles said. “I almost crashed into a tree, but it was OK. He let me drive it again. He loved me that much.”

John Myles / Submitted photo

John Myles liked cars and always drove new vehicles in high school as his part of a contract he kept with his parents to maintain good grades, his niece said.

In addition to his fondness for cars, John Myles had a variety of other hobbies, she said.

John Myles taught himself how to play the trumpet, and would occasionally play at family gatherings, his niece said. He was also an abstract painter and an avid fan of the musician Prince and the Chicago Bears.

John Myles worked for 15 years sizing children’s shoes at Nordstrom in Oakbrook, she said.

Hargrow will be back in court June 18.