BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor
Chicago finished February with 20 murders — tied for the fourth lowest total for the month since 1957, police said.
The month had two five-day stretches without a killing, the longest murder-free periods of 2014.
The Austin and West Garfield Park communities each tallied two murder in the month, the most for any community.
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BY JON SEIDEL AND LEEANN SHELTON
Chicago Sun-Times
A 15-year-old boy was held on $2 million bond Sunday, one of two teens charged in connection with the armed robbery of an off-duty Cook County Sheriff’s sergeant that left a third suspect dead.
Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. ordered Emmanuel Johnson, who lived near East 103rd Street and South Corliss Avenue, held on $2 million bond at a hearing Sunday.
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BY LUKE WILUSZ
Sun-Times Media
A second teenager was charged with murder Saturday in connection with the Monday armed robbery of an off-duty Cook County Sheriff’s sergeant that left an accomplice dead.
The 15-year-old boy was charged as an adult with one count each of first-degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm, police said. His name was not released.
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BY MICHAEL LANSU AND RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times
A Far South Side teenager was ordered held in lieu of $1 million bond Thursday on murder and robbery charges tied to a botched hold up that left his alleged gun-toting accomplice dead.
Devante Graham was charged with his cohort’s death based on the theory of accountability after an off-duty Cook County sheriff’s sergeant killed the teen when he was robbed by the younger men Monday night at a Citgo gas station in the 700 block of East 103rd Street, authorities said.
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Ambrocio Flores / Photo from Cook County Sheriff’s office
BY WILL HAGER
Homicide Watch Chicago
Ambrocio Flores was ordered held on $1 million bond Thursday for allegedly attempting to hire hit men to kill a girlfriend.
A police informant told investigators that Flores, 44, had reached out to them Jan. 16 looking for a hit man to kill a man and woman, according to court documents.
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Danny Melendez was stabbed to death last week during a Belmont-Cragin neighborhood fight. Police ruled the death involuntary manslaughter and declined to pursue charges. Reader “Yesi O.” shared this about him:
Unfortunately my brother in law is dead and we will never know his side of the story. Very convenient to claim self-defense when the other side isn’t here to defend themselves. Still the family does not know who this woman is or what the heck happened. How many people were involved. Self defense? She just happened to be carrying a deadly weapon (knife) on her? I think she should come forward and give the family closure. Instead someone got away with ending someone’s life and moving forward with their life but guess who didn’t? Danny didn’t! And he leaves behind 2 kids who will always wonder WHY???? I think more investigating should have been done because there is always 2 sides to a story and right now we are only hearing one side and of course she’s not going to admit to any wrong doing.
Kimberly Cruz / Photo from Chicago Police
BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor
A Humboldt Park woman has been charged with reckless homicide for allegedly having drugs in her system when she made an illegal U-turn and crashed into a motorized scooter — injuring the driver of the scooter and killing her unborn child.
The 28-year-old pregnant woman was driving a motorized scooter east on North Avenue when she crashed into a minivan attempting to make a turn near Grand Avenue about 5:30 p.m. Sept. 9, prosecutors said.
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Barnett Adams was fatally shot during a December argument in the Austin neighborhood. Reader “Gallant Castile” shared this about him:
I’ve known him for 17 years never once pictured losing another friend in such a tragic way. Everyone is grieving and in disbelief. Rest peacefully my ole friend until we can smile and laugh again in my memories you remain.
Luciano Torres was shot to death in December in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood. Reader Carolina Adams posted this about him:
LITO WAS GOOD FRIEND OF MINE HE LEAVES NEXT DOOR TO ME I JUST SEEN HIM THE OTHER DAY AND THE SAME NIGHT SOME MONSTER SHOOT HIM .LITO WAS A GOOD FATHER TO HIS SON AND A GOOD BOYFRIEND TO HIS GIRL HE WORK TAKE CARE OF HIS FAMILLY HE WASNT GANG RELATED AT ALL THIS MF WHO TOOK LITO LIFE NEED TO BE FIND AND HANDLE WHO IN HIS RIGHT MIND WOULD DO THIZ ..LITO U WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN U ALWAYS BE REMEMBER …WE LOVE SEE U WHEN WE GET THERE……………………R.I.P. LITO
Eric Hunt was shot early Christmas morning 2013 in the West Englewood neighborhood. Reader “Tee” posted this about him:
So sad you didn’t deserve that r.i.p luv prayers with your kids and family.
