Trevonti Carson / Photo from Chicago Police
BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor
Trevonti Carson cornered a man inside an Englewood gas station and shot him dead last week on the South Side, prosecutors said.
Carson, 26, is accused of murdering Devorite Diggins Nov. 13 inside a gas station in the 800 block of West 59th Street, authorities said.
Diggins and his 21-year-old cousin entered the station about 2:20 p.m. and the pair began talking with an associate of Diggins’ cousin, Cook County assistant state’s attorney Anthony Lucafo said.
The cousin shook hands multiple times with the associate then the pair attempted to leave the store, Lucafo said. But the associate cut them off and the pair ran to the back of the store, Lucafo said.
Carson and three other males then corner Diggins inside and Carson shot him in the upper back and abdomen area, prosecutors said.
A wounded Diggins called out for his cousin, who was hiding in another part of the store, Lucafo said.
The cousin tried to run out of the store, but Carson shot him in the right arm, Lucafo said. Carson and his associates then fled.
Diggins, 21, of the 6200 block of South Aberdeen Street, died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
His cousin suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County for treatment, authorities said.
Video surveillance at the gas station captured the shooting and police issued a warrant for Carson, Lucafo said. Carson was arrested Saturday in Ford Heights and gave a recorded statement about his involvement in the murder.
The other men have not yet been charged for their roles in the shooting.
Carson was on parole for an aggravated unlawful use of a weapon conviction and has previously been on supervision for possession of a gun without a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card, Lucafo said.
On Monday, Carson appeared before Judge James Brown in a white T-shirt, black jacket and blue jeans. Carson, of the 5700 block of South Green Street, was ordered held without bond.
Carson, who has lived in the Chicago area his entire life, works as a barber and construction worker, according to his public defender. He is married and lives with his wife and mother.
Carson will be back in court Dec. 6 at the George N. Leighton Courthouse in the 2600 block of South California Avenue.