Martel Halbert / Photo from Chicago Police
BY JORDAN OWEN
Sun-Times Media
Before dying in surgery, Terrance McNeal told police that Martel “Party” Halbert had shot him, prosecutors said.
Halbert, 33, was charged with first-degree murder Wednesday for the May 4 shooting in the Austin neighborhood. He was ordered held without bond during a Thursday court hearing.
Prosecutors said McNeal, 23, was riding a motorcycle in the 400 block of North LeClare when Halbert pulled up next to McNeal and fired multiple shots from a car about 3:15 a.m.
McNeal fell to the ground, and his motorcycle fell on top of him, prosecutors said.
Halbert then parked the car, walked over to the injured McNeal and attempted to shoot him again, prosecutors said. But the gun did not fire, Halbert allegedly ran back to his car and drove away.
McNeal, who was shot six times in the abdomen, told responding officers that “Party” shot him and provided Halbert's home address, prosecutors said.
McNeal, of the 400 block of North Leamington Avenue, died in surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital, authorities said.
Shakina McDowell, the father of McNeal’s 1-year-old daughter, said her boyfriend had gone to get a gyro for the couple to share when he was shot.
Terrance McNeal / Submitted photo
McNeal purchased a motorcycle about three weeks ago and enjoyed riding it through the Austin neighborhood, said his mother, Tracy McNeal. He talked about going to school to become a mechanic so he could make something of his passion for cars.
Officers used the information McNeal provided to identify Halbert, who prosecutors called a documented gang member.
Several witnesses also identified Halbert as the shooter, prosecutors said.