Homicide Watch Chicago

By FRAN SPIELMAN Chicago Sun-Times Not a day or even an hour goes by when James Washington doesn’t grieve for his mother, Betty Howard, a beloved special education teacher caught in the crossfire between rival gangs two years ago on a once-thriving Chatham commercial strip. Last Wednesday was the exception. It was a day to … Read more →

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN Chicago Sun-Times Dominique Hodrick had an ongoing dispute with a man nicknamed “Nookie,” so when Hodrick saw his rival driving in a car on the South Side he allegedly opened fire. Hodrick missed “Nookie,” but he shot and killed veteran special education teacher Betty Howard in the chest while she worked her … Read more →

Dominique Hodrick / Photo from Chicago Police Dominique Hodrick has been charged with murder for allegedly shooting 58-year-old Brooks special education teacher Betty Howard last month in the Chatham neighborhood. Hodrick is accused of shooting Howard about 5:30 p.m. in the 7900 block of South Evans Avenue, authorities said. Howard, of the 2200 block of … Read more →

BY MICHAEL LANSU Homicide Watch Chicago Editor Fourteen people were murdered throughout Chicago last week — including two people in their 50s. Nine of the murders happened on South Side, four on the West Side and one on the North Side. The Austin community had the most killings last week with three. The most recent … Read more →

BY STEFANO ESPOSITO AND EMILY BROSIOUS Chicago Sun-Times and Homicide Watch Chicago Betty Howard taught at Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep on the South Side, but her daily work often stretched far beyond its walls. The beloved special education teacher, a innocent victim of gun violence Thursday evening, was also the “first lady” of New Light … Read more →