BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor
Israel Taylor was ordered held on $700,000 bond Friday for allegedly being at a gunfight that left his acquaintance dead and two others wounded Tuesday afternoon in the Avalon Park community.
Taylor and Antinino Walker went with an acquaintance to collect a dice game debt from a 25-year-old man in the 8000 block of South Dante Avenue, said Assistant State's Attorney Jamie Santini.
When the 25-year-old saw the group approaching his residence, which he shared with family members that includes his grandmother, he grabbed a handgun and went to a side door, Santini said.
Taylor then pulled out a gun and shot the 25-year-old in the neck through the side door, Santini said. The 25-year-old then pulled out his gun and returned fire, prosecutors said.
During the gunfight, Walker was shot in the back and Taylor in the arm, Santini said.
Walker, 28, of the 6500 block of South Champlain Avenue, was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where died later that night, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.
Taylor, 21, was treated at Jackson Park Hospital and the 25-year-old was treated at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, authorities said.
Detectives identified Taylor as the person who fired first that led to the gun fight that killed Walker, Santini said.
Taylor was charged with first-degree murder and Judge Laura Sullivan ordered him held on $750,000 bond.
Taylor's attorney, Michael Clancy, argued that the shooting was a "mutual combatant situation." Clancy claimed it was the 25-year-old who came out of the house shooting and said Walker being shot in the back "speaks loudly."
Clancy said Taylor did not have a gun and did not owe anybody money.
"At best, he was along for the ride," Clancy said.
The acquaintance with Taylor and Walker was not wounded and has not yet been charged, authorities said.
Taylor will be back in court March 24.
-- Contributing: Rummana Hussain