Second brother charged with fatal shooting of Alston McNeal, killed after sticking up for his girlfriend at Austin party

Jeff Mayes — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 16:57:30 -0600

Charles Thorne | Chicago Police

By JORDAN OWEN and MITCHELL ARMENTROUT
Chicago Sun-Times Wire

A second brother now faces a murder charge for the fatal shooting of Alston Ronnie McNeal in October in Austin, an incident prosecutors say started after McNeal's girlfriend was inappropriately touched at a party.

Charles Thorne, 27, pulled the trigger in the early morning hours of Oct. 10, 2015, attack in the 1100 block of North Lawler, according to Chicago Police and Cook County prosecutors. His brother, 34-year-old Antoine Thorne, was charged with murder in December.

They brothers were at a birthday party in an apartment when Antoine Thorne inappropriately grabbed the butt of 33-year-old Alston McNeal's girlfriend, prosecutors said at Antoine Thorne's bond hearing in December.

The two argued briefly before McNeal walked away. He was standing at the front door on his way out when Antoine Thorne charged at him with a gun, prosecutors said. They wrestled for the weapon, which went off without striking anyone.

Antoine Thorne | Chicago Police

During the struggle, Charles Thorne walked up and fired a single shot into McNeal's head at about 3:20 a.m., prosecutors said.

McNeal, who lived on the same block as the party, was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:10 a.m., authorities said.

Thorne and his brother ran away, prosecutors said. They were identified by multiple people who were at the party and saw the shooting.

Charles Thorne was arrested Thursday and ordered held on a $1.5 million bond, according to the Cook County sheriff's office. He is due back in court March 9.

Antoine Thorne is being held on an $800,000 bond and has a status hearing March 4.

Alston McNeal | Facebook

Antoine Thorne | Homicide Watch Chicago

Second brother charged with fatal shooting of Alston McNeal, killed after sticking up for his girlfriend at Austin party