Ronald Williamson | Cook County sheriff’s office
Chicago Sun-Times Wire
Police say Lawrence Pitts was fatally shot after he and another man broke into a Little Village neighborhood home late Wednesday, and the accomplice has been charged with murder.
Ronald Williamson, 35, was armed with a handgun when he and Pitts forced their way into the home in the 2200 block of South Avers about 10 p.m., according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
They got into a struggle with a 43-year-old man who lives in the home, and shots were fired, hitting Pitts in the face and abdomen, authorities said.
Pitts, 37, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he died at 3:25 p.m. Friday, authorities said. It wasn’t clear if he was shot with Williamson’s gun or if another weapon was involved.
The 43-year-old resident suffered minor injuries, and was treated and released from Saint Anthony Hospital, police said.
Williamson was pistol-whipped several times during the scuffle and taken to Mount Sinai, where he remained hospitalized Saturday.
A police source said the break-in and shooting were thought to be drug-related.
Williamson, of the 200 block of North Hamlin, was charged with home invasion, attempted robbery and murder while committing another forcible felony, police said. A judge on Monday ordered him held on a $1 million bond, according to the Cook County sheriff’s office. He is due back in court Jan. 6.
Pitts, who lived in the 3500 block of West Cermak, was among 11 people shot across the city on Wednesday, authorities said.