Prosecutors: Murder of Courtney Taylor in Hyatt Regency McCormick Place started with argument over woman

Jeff Mayes — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 14:04:03 -0600

Armonte Hooper | Chicago Police

By JEFF MAYES
Chicago Sun-Times Wire

While Armonte Hooper fired the shots that killed a man in the lobby of a hotel near McCormick Place two weeks ago, James Briscoe was right there, encouraging his friend to "finish off" the victim.

Briscoe, 23, was ordered held on a $1 million bond Friday by Judge Laura Sullivan after being charged with first-degree murder in the death of 25-year-old Courtney Taylor, according to the Cook County state's attorney's office.

Hooper, 23, was previously charged with first-degree murder for the shooting at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place at 2233 S. King Dr., according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He is being held without bond.

On Jan. 23, Taylor and several friends were attending a party in a suite at the Hyatt, assistant state's attorney Jamie Santini said in court Friday. About 2:20 a.m., Taylor and friends were leaving when another man approached him in the lobby and accused him him hitting on his girlfriend.

Armonte Hooper | Chicago Police

A verbal altercation turned physical, with several men fighting in the lobby, including Hooper and Briscoe, prosecutors said. As hotel security stepped in to break it up, the suspects walked outside.

They returned about a minute later, and Hooper pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at one of Taylor's friends, Santini said. When someone in the crowd yelled, "Gun," Taylor and his friends tried to run.

One of Taylor's friends was struck over the head with a glass tabletop, and Taylor was confronted by Hooper, prosecutors said.

Hooper then began firing shots, and witnesses heard Briscoe shouting, "blow that m-----f----- and finish him," according to prosecutors.

Hooper then shot Taylor, and when he fell to the ground, Hooper stood above him and shot him five more times, including a close-range shot to the head, Santini said.

The suspects then ran out, but the entire incident was captured on hotel surveillance cameras, and witnesses identified Hooper as the shooter and Briscoe as the man who egged him on, prosecutors said.

Courtney Taylor | Facebook

Taylor, of the 6800 block of South Paulina Avenue, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. An autopsy found he died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Briscoe, who lives in the 8200 block of South Carpenter; and Hooper, of the 400 block of West Marquette, are due back in court Feb. 17, according to the Cook County sheriff's office.

Second man charged with fatal shooting of Courtney Taylor in lobby of Hyatt Regency McCormick Place

Jeff Mayes — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 09:17:49 -0600

James Briscoe | Chicago Police

A second suspect has been charged with murder for a shooting about two weeks ago in the lobby of a hotel near McCormick Place that left Courtney Taylor dead.

James Briscoe, 23, has been charged with first-degree murder, Chicago Police announced Friday morning.

Armonte Hooper, 23, was previously charged with first-degree murder for the shooting that left the 25-year-old Taylor dead in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place at 2233 S. King Dr., according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

About 2:20 a.m. Jan. 23, Taylor was among several people fighting in the hotel lobby when someone pulled out a gun and shot him in the head, authorities said at the time.

Armonte Hooper | Chicago Police

Taylor, of the 6800 block of South Paulina Avenue, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. An autopsy found he died of multiple gunshot wounds and his death was ruled a homicide.

Court information was not immediately available for Briscoe, who lives in the 8200 block of South Carpenter. Hooper, of the 400 block of West Marquette, is being held without bond, according to the Cook County sheriff’s office.

--Chicago Sun-Times Wire

Armonte Hooper | Homicide Watch Chicago

Prosecutors: Murder of Courtney Taylor in Hyatt Regency McCormick Place started with argument over woman

Second man charged with fatal shooting of Courtney Taylor in lobby of Hyatt Regency McCormick Place