Markeyo Carr / Family Photo
BY MITCH DUDEK, TINA SFONDELES AND REEMA AMIN
Chicago Sun-Times
A masked gunman fatally shot a 17-year-old boy and wounded three others in a Rogers Park McDonald’s parking lot Wednesday afternoon.
A short time after dozens of witnesses reported hearing at least six gunshots, the boy lay dead, a sheet covering his body as his mother moaned in grief outside yellow police tape in the 6700 block of North Clark Street.
The teen has been identified as Markeyo Carr, of the 6500 block of North Ashland Avenue, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
The victims had been in an argument with another group of people shortly before the masked gunman approached about 3:40 p.m. Wednesday, police Officer Veejay Zala said. Then the shooter ran off, Zala said.
A girl, who police said was about 15, was shot several times, and an 18-year-old man, who was shot in the lower back, were taken to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston. Another 18-year-old man, who was shot in the arm, was treated at Weiss Memorial Hospital.
“Two of the male victims have documented gang affiliations,” Zala 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.”
Faye McCoy, a retired nurse, was in a store across the street when she heard the gunshots. The gunfire ceased, and while rushing to see if she could help, McCoy walked right past the masked gunman.
“I didn’t see his face,” she said.
McCoy, who has lived in the area for more than 13 years, broke down when she saw the slain boy with a bullet wound in the side of his head. “I recognized his face,” said McCoy, who knew Carr from working with local youth groups to prevent violence.
“There was no help for him,” she said. “He was shot in the temple, it looked like. He took his last breath with me standing there … Blood was everywhere.”
McCoy said she didn’t think Carr was in a gang, and she lamented the needless death.
“I have great-grandkids, and it would hurt my heart to see one of them laying out here like that.”
— Contributing: Sun-Times Media Wire