Denzel Burke / Photo from Racine County (Wis.) Sheriff's office
BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times
When 15-year-old Denzel Burke received an order from an older Conservative Vice Lord to shoot at a rival they spotted on a sidewalk in Rogers Park, he and his teenage pal dutifully got out of the car they were traveling in and chased their prey, Cook County prosecutors alleged Friday.
“Wet that T-shirt up,” Eric Vaughn allegedly told Burke, encouraging him to wound the 19-year-old target before handing Burke a loaded gun on the afternoon of July 12.
Passersby also heard Burke’s friend, Michael Phillips, 17, further embolden Burke as the two chased after the other teen in the 1300 block of West Devon Avenue, Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Santini said Friday.
“Get his ass,” Phillips allegedly said as Burke fired 10 times, missing the rival but striking photographer Wil Lewis in the back as he stood at a nearby bus stop, Santini said.
After the shooting, Burke allegedly unloaded his weapon on Devon Avenue, and Phillips was heard urging him to flee: “Come on.”
Lewis, who had moved to Rogers Park with his wife two weeks before and was about to start a job as a staff photographer for an online men’s clothing store, died from his wounds less than an hour later at a nearby hospital.
Ald. Joe Moore (49th) witnessed the shooting as did another person who took pictures of Burke and Phillips as they made their escape, authorities said.
The two teens traveled to Racine, Wis. following the arrest of the 31-year-old Vaughn, authorities said.
They were taken into custody there earlier this month and extradited back to Chicago on Wednesday.
Burke and Phillips were both identified in line-ups and admitted their roles in the murder, Santini said.
Vaughn, of the 4400 block of North Claredon Avenue, was ordered held without bond last month.
Judge Donald Panarese Jr. on Friday called Burke “dangerous” and also ordered him held without bond on murder and attempted murder charges.
William Lewis / Submitted photo
Phillips was ordered held in lieu of $1.5 million bail.
Burke was arrested as a juvenile this year for a robbery and a domestic battery involving his mother, Santini said.
Phillips, who goes by the nickname “Tay Black,” admitted guilt in a 2011 assault and a 2012 aggravated battery, according to records.
Burke, of the 800 block of West Grace Street, completed 9th grade at Lake View High School, Assistant Public Defender Ruth McBeth said.
Phillips has completed 10th grade, McBeth said.