Man charged with murder of pregnant girlfriend, Emoni House, and her teenage brother, Elijah House

Jeff Mayes — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 10:54:48 -0600

By MITCHELL ARMENTROUT
Chicago Sun-Times Wire

Darryl Benton Harris | Chicago Police

A 19-year-old man has been charged with killing his pregnant girlfriend, Emoni House, and her 16-year-old brother, Elijah House, in a South Chicago neighborhood shooting earlier this month that also left their mother and a family friend in critical condition.

Darryl Benton Harris faces two counts of first-degree murder, one count of intentional homicide of an unborn child, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, and two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm for the Nov. 3 domestic attack at the victims’ home in the 8000 block of South Shore Drive, according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Shortly after midnight, Harris got into an argument with the teen, then left the home before returning with a gun to shoot the boy in the back, authorities allege.

Emoni and Elijah House | family photo

Harris then turned the gun multiple times on his pregnant girlfriend, 20-year-old Emoni House, as well as her 42-year-old mother and another 30-year-old woman, authorities said.

The siblings died at the scene. The older women were taken in critical condition to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Family members started an GoFundMe page earlier this week to help cover burial expenses.

Harris, of the 7200 block of South Coles, was arrested Wednesday, police said. He also faces misdemeanor charges of reckless conduct, resisting a police officer, obstructing identification and cannabis possession.

Judge Peggy Chiampas ordered Harris jailed without bond at a Friday hearing, according to Cook County Circuit Court records. He is due in court again Monday.

Darryl Benton Harris | Homicide Watch Chicago

Man charged with murder of pregnant girlfriend, Emoni House, and her teenage brother, Elijah House