Comment of the Day: "I can't even imagine the pain of losing one of my grandsons, especially to street violence"

Michael Lansu — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 16:07:13 -0500

Prosecutors claim Frederick Woods-Rivas fatally shot 17-year-old Ja-Quez Williams April 26 in the 5500 block of West North Avenue. Reader " sosideirish" posted this about the killing:

I can't even imagine the pain of losing one of my grandsons, especially to street violence. I will never understand the need to murder one another when, as a group, working together, we could accomplish so much. Another young life lost so senselessly. Prayers for the friends and family of this young man.

Prosecutors: Frederick Woods-Rivas fatally shot Ja-Quez Williams in the back of the head

Michael Lansu — Fri, 30 May 2014 15:18:54 -0500

Frederick Woods-Rivas / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Frederick Woods-Rivas was ordered held without bond Friday for allegedly fatally shooting 17-year-old Ja-Quez Williams last month in the Austin neighborhood.

Ja-Quez was standing with a group on a sidewalk in the 5500 block of West North Avenue when 23-year-old Woods-Rivas walked up behind Ja-Quez and shot him in the back of the head about 2:05 a.m. April 26, said Assistant State’s Attorney Glen Runk.

Ja-Quez had gone out to get a submarine sandwich and was waiting for his uncle to pick him up when he was gunned down, his grandmother, Inez Williams, said.

Ja-Quez, of the 5400 block of West North Avenue, was dead at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

“He was a beautiful, vibrant person – full of life,” Inez Williams said. “It was a senseless thing, I really don’t understand. No children should be gunned down like cattle.”

After the shooting, Woods-Rivas fled to his nearby home, Runk said.

The shooting was captured on video surveillance and witnesses identified Woods-Rivas as the shooter, Runk said. Some of the witnesses knew Woods-Rivas from the neighborhood.

An arrest warrant was issued and Woods-Rivas was taken into custody in Minnesota and extradited back to Chicago on murder charges, Runk said.

On Friday, Judge Peggy Chiampas ordered Woods-Rivas held without bond. He has no prior conviction as an adult and Assistant Public Defender Marijane Placek said he is not in a gang.

Frederick Woods-Rivas | Homicide Watch Chicago

Comment of the Day: "I can't even imagine the pain of losing one of my grandsons, especially to street violence"

Prosecutors: Frederick Woods-Rivas fatally shot Ja-Quez Williams in the back of the head