Prosecutors: Delshawn Cotton fatally shot Steve Mabins in West Garfield Park on Fourth of July 2013

Michael Lansu — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 17:23:31 -0500

Delshawn Cotton / Photo from Chicago Police

BY KENNY NGUYEN
Homicide Watch Chicago

Delshawn Cotton was ordered held without bond Friday after prosecutors said that on the Fourth of July 2013 he fatally shot Steven Mabins -- one of 10 people killed during the four-day holiday weekend.

Cotton was in the passenger's seat of a Buick that passed a group in the 600 block of South San Francisco Avenue several times, said Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen Rogers.

The final time the Buick passed, Cotton exited the car, walked up to the group, pulled a handgun from his waistband and opened fire.

Mabins was shot multiple times and fell to the ground. Cotton continued to shoot Mabins after he had fallen, Rogers said.

Mabins, 21, 2000 block of West Washington Street, was declared dead at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, according to the Cook County medical examiners office.

He was one of 10 people killed over the holiday weekend. At least 55 others were wounded.

The blocks around South Francisco Avenue and West Flournoy Street were ground zero for the eruption of violence.

On July 6, 2013, a group was standing on that corner when a minivan pulled up, a gunman exited and shot eight people -- killing one, police said.

Another person was shot July 5 in the 600 block of South Francisco -- the same block where Mabins was killed a day earlier.

Steve Mabins

Multiple witnesses at the scene identified Cotton as the shooter in Mabins slaying, said Rogers, who added the shooting was captured by nearby surveillance cameras.

Cotton, 21, of the 2200 block of South Keeler Avenue, was charged this week with murder and Judge Laura Sullivan ordered him held without bond during a Friday hearing.

He is currently serving time for unlawful use of a weapon. Court records indicate he was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in 2010 and 2012.

He will be back in court on the murder charges Oct. 29.

-- Contributing: Michael Lansu

Delshawn Cotton | Homicide Watch Chicago

Prosecutors: Delshawn Cotton fatally shot Steve Mabins in West Garfield Park on Fourth of July 2013