A framer by trade, the 43-year-old’s craftsmanship can be found throughout the National Museum of Mexican Art in the Near West Side neighborhood.
Avina, a father of three who married into the family that owns the famed Nuevo Leon restaurant on 18th Street, was killed early Saturday at a neighborhood bar where he was a regular.
He was sitting at the bar at Simone’s, a popular spot in the 900 block of West 18th Street, when someone walked up behind him and slit his throat, a relative said authorities told him. Read more
A 52-year-old man collapsed and died after a Thursday night “scuffle” in the Austin neighborhood, authorities said.
John L. Rainey got into a fight with another man about 11 p.m. in the 300 block of North Menard Avenue and collapsed afterwards, authorities said. Read more
Carlos Herrera was found stabbed to death inside his burning West Elsdon home Thursday afternoon.
Emergency crews found 22-year-old Carlos Herrera and 49-year-old Maria Herrera inside their home in the 3600 block of West 55th Place about 2:50 p.m. Thursday, authorities said.
The blaze was initially reported as an explosion, but investigators later learned there was only a fire, according to a source.
Detectives believe the deaths may have stemmed from a home invasion, and that the fire was intentionally set, according to police. Fire officials said the cause of the fire was still under investigation. Read more
Chicago Police are asking for the public’s help to identify a man suspected in the fatal shooting of Glenn Houston Jr. in December 2014 at a Chatham grocery.
Houston, 23, was in the Eberhart Food Store at 457 E. 79th St. when a gunman walked in and started shooting about 3:15 p.m. Dec. 23, 2014, authorities said. Read more
Chicago rapper Young Pappy, who had previously been the intended target in at least two shootings that left bystanders dead, was himself fatally shot early Friday in the Uptown neighborhood.
Samuel Walker Sr. was killed just six days after his 13-year-old namesake son was murdered.
While no one has been charged with the teenage boy’s shooting, the alleged gunman in the elder Walker’s murder was arrested this week.
Walker was killed in an ongoing territorial drug dispute between two gangs in Humboldt Park and knew his shooter, prosecutors said.
Kortillious Gipson had been chasing after 34-year-old Walker and Walker’s friend on the morning of July 31, 2014, Assistant State’s Attorney Barry Quinn said. Read more
Morial Ewing, 28, was fatally shot May 18 in the South Shore community. Reader Trina Davis posted this about him:
Im sorry I didn’t try harder to keep my friend inside. He was a laid back,smooth,funny & cool dude. I talked with & seen him every day.He had warm eyes & the most Goregous smile. I’M SOSICKOFTHISVIOLENCEEPIDEMIC!!!!I WANTTOHELPSTOPIT, JUSTDON’T KNOWHOW
Angelo Bennett / Photo from Cook County sheriff’s office
BYRUMMANAHUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times
Angelo Bennett said all he’s ever wanted to do since he was charged with murdering a gentlemen’s club manager was apologize to the slain man’s family.
He got his chance on Wednesday.
“I pray for your forgiveness,” Angelo Bennett said, looking toward Charles E. Jones’ friends and relatives. “Sincerely from the depths of my being, I am sorry.”
Before Bennett was sentenced to 45 years in prison for killing Jones and wounding Jones’ fiancee, Jones’ cousin read a victim-impact statement written by Jones’ mother.
In the statement, Jones was described as a “gentle giant” and caring “mama’s boy” who respected women while Bennett was characterized as “deceitful,” a “menace” and “bad seed.”
Jones’ fiancee Kathy Bias said since the incident May 26, 2013, she can’t close her eyes without seeing Bennett chase and try to kill her as he did after a traffic dispute on Goose Island. Read more
Felix Diaz was fatally shot in the Irving Park community Monday afternoon.
Diaz, 29, was sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle in the 4100 block of North Hamlin Avenue when another vehicle pulled up and a gunman exited and opened fire about 2:30 p.m., authorities said. Read more
What is Homicide Watch Chicago?
Homicide Watch Chicago is dedicated to the proposition that murder is never a run-of-the-mill story. Attention must be paid to each one, not merely a select and particularly tragic few. We understand the reality of the public’s demand for news - that some stories get more attention than others. But all murders represent a degree of human suffering - direct and indirect - that cannot be ignored. Read more…