William Paschal / Photo from Chicago Police
BY ANGELIQUE WHITE
Homicide Watch Chicago
William Paschal was ordered held on a $1 million bond Tuesday for his alleged role in an armed robbery that ended in a fatal retaliation shooting last January in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood, prosecutors said.
Paschal and an acquaintance are accused of fatally shooting 19-year-old college student Kevin Baker during an armed robbery in the 6200 block of South Campbell Avenue about 4:15 p.m. Jan. 16, authorities said.
Baker and his 23-year-old cousin were walking home after classes at Harold Washington College when Paschal and his acquaintance exited a maroon minivan with loaded guns, said Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Santini.
Paschal, 19, then took the cousins’ cell phones at gunpoint, Santini said.
After being robbed, Baker and his cousin attempted to continue their walk home when the acquaintance asked, “Who he is?” then opened fire, Santini said.
Baker, who lived nearby in the 6200 block of South Maplewood Avenue, was shot five times, including at least once in the head, authorities said. Responding police officers found Baker “being held by his mother who ran to the scene after hearing the gunshots,” Santini said.
Paschal and his acquaintance, both admitted gang members, fled in the van after the shooting, Santini said. Baker died two days later at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Baker, an only child, was studying to be a veterinarian, neighbor and family friend Earnestine Barnette said after the shooting.
Detectives learned Paschal sold one of the stolen cell phones to a pawnshop near South Racine Avenue and West 63rd Street, Santini said.
Overall, Chicago Police report cell phone robberies and thefts were down 28 percent compared to 2013.
After further investigation, detectives learned the robbers had made statements implying they had been involved in the shooting of a rival gang member as retaliation for the murder of a fellow gang member.
“That was an innocent kid. He didn’t have anything to do with nothing out there,” Barnette said.
Police arrested Paschal, of the 7200 block of South Artesian Avenue, on June 29 and he was charged with two counts murder and two counts of armed robber.
He appeared in court Tuesday wearing a red sweatshirt and white pants. Santini noted Paschal’s “extensive juvenile background,” and Judge Donald Panarese Jr. ordered Paschal held on $1 million bond and issued a next court date of July 21.
Paschal’s attorney had asked the judge to take into consideration that he did not fire the shots that killed Baker. He noted Paschal is a high school graduate with four siblings.
After bond was set, Paschal turned around and yelled “Love ya’ll man!” to relatives.
His acquaintance has not been arrested and charged for the murder, authorities said.
— Contributing: Tina Sfondeles