Cliffon Johnson / Photo from Chicago Police
BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor
A parolee was held without bond Monday after prosecutors claim he fatally shot a 39-year-old man on a Back of the Yards porch Friday night.
Witnesses told police they saw Cliffon Johnson, 28, walked towards a house in the 5400 block of South Hoyne Avenue where 39-year-old Charles Wright was on the porch, said Assistant State’s Attorney Robert Mack.
The witness reported hearing three gunshots and seeing Johnson run away about 11:40 p.m. Friday, Mack said.
Wright, of the 3100 block of West 71st Street, was shot three times in the abdomen and thigh and died about an hour later at Mount Sinai Hospital, authorities said.
Police officers on the block heard gunshots and saw Johnson run away and drop a gun, his cell phone and a Ventra card, Mack said.
The officers gave chance and took Johnson into custody, Mack said. Witnesses positively identified him as the suspected shooter.
Police recovered a .357 handgun with three live rounds and three expended casings, Mack said. State Police determined the gun was used in the killing.
Johnson, of the 5500 block of South Washtenaw Avenue, was charged with first-degree murder.
Johnson was paroled from the Illinois Department of Corrections on Sept. 23, prosecutors said. He was convicted in 2004 on two counts of manufacturing and delivering drugs and was charged with possession of a controlled substance and driving on a suspended license in 2014.
A public defender said Johnson is a Dunbar graduate and has been working for the U.S. Post Office since he was released on parole. He is a life-long Chicagoan who lives with his mother and has three children.
On Monday, Judge Peggy Chiampas ordered Johnson held without bond and issued a next court date of Nov. 14.