Second man charged with role in gunfight that left his friend Antinino Walker dead in Avalon Park shootout

Jeff Mayes — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 16:59:47 -0600

By RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

Alden Welch | Chicago Police

A South Side man was ordered held on a $600,000 bond Tuesday for his alleged involvement in a gunfight that left his friend Antinino Walker dead in Avalon Park last winter.

Alden Welch was charged with murder in connection with the shootout that left Walker dead on March 3.

Walker was with Welch and Isreal Taylor when he was killed in a shootout between Taylor and a 25-year-old man who apparently owed Welch money from a dice game, Cook County prosecutors said Tuesday.

That man had spoken with Welch on the phone on March 3 about paying Welch back, Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Santini said.

When Welch told the man he’d come over to collect the debt that day, the man told Welch to come to his house in 8000 block of South Dante. He told Welch he should come alone, Santini said.

Isreal Taylor | Chicago Police

The man who was to meet Welch got a handgun and went to the side door of his house, when he saw the three approaching, Santini said. He asked Welch why he had come with the other two when he clearly stated he didn’t want anyone else there.

That’s allegedly when Taylor pulled a gun and started shooting at the man through the door. The man was struck in the neck and fell to the ground. He was able to pull his 9mm handgun and return fire, Santini said.

A bullet hit the 28-year-old Walker. Taylor was also shot in the arm.

Taylor, Walker and Welch were able to run and drive away in a car, Santini said. The driver of the car took the men to Jackson Park Hospital. Their rival was also taken to Jackson Park Hospital by a friend, Santini said.

Witnesses said they saw Welch and Taylor in the Avalon Park street where the bullets were fired, Santini said.

Taylor, 21, was taken into custody at the hospital. He is being held on a a $700,000 bond while he awaits trial. .

Authorities later learned that Welch had fled the state and issued a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested in Houston and extradited to Chicago on Monday.

Welch allegedly admitted to others that when he went to his rival’s house, he, Taylor and Walker went to do a “lick”--or a robbery.

The plan was to rob the victim of cannabis and cash, Santini said. Welch told others he knew Taylor had a gun, Santini said.

Isreal Taylor charged with murder in Avalon Park gunfight that killed acquaintance Antinino Walker

Michael Lansu — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 14:40:24 -0600

Isreal Taylor / Photo from Cook County Sheriff's office

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Isreal Taylor was ordered held on $700,000 bond Friday for allegedly being at a gunfight that left his acquaintance dead and two others wounded Tuesday afternoon in the Avalon Park community.

Taylor and Antinino Walker went with an acquaintance to collect a dice game debt from a 25-year-old man in the 8000 block of South Dante Avenue, said Assistant State's Attorney Jamie Santini.

When the 25-year-old saw the group approaching his residence, which he shared with family members that includes his grandmother, he grabbed a handgun and went to a side door, Santini said.

Taylor then pulled out a gun and shot the 25-year-old in the neck through the side door, Santini said. The 25-year-old then pulled out his gun and returned fire, prosecutors said.

During the gunfight, Walker was shot in the back and Taylor in the arm, Santini said.

Walker, 28, of the 6500 block of South Champlain Avenue, was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where died later that night, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Taylor, 21, was treated at Jackson Park Hospital and the 25-year-old was treated at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, authorities said.

Detectives identified Taylor as the person who fired first that led to the gun fight that killed Walker, Santini said.

Taylor was charged with first-degree murder and Judge Laura Sullivan ordered him held on $750,000 bond.

Taylor's attorney, Michael Clancy, argued that the shooting was a "mutual combatant situation." Clancy claimed it was the 25-year-old who came out of the house shooting and said Walker being shot in the back "speaks loudly."

Clancy said Taylor did not have a gun and did not owe anybody money.

"At best, he was along for the ride," Clancy said.

The acquaintance with Taylor and Walker was not wounded and has not yet been charged, authorities said.

Taylor will be back in court March 24.

-- Contributing: Rummana Hussain

Isreal Taylor | Homicide Watch Chicago

Second man charged with role in gunfight that left his friend Antinino Walker dead in Avalon Park shootout

Isreal Taylor charged with murder in Avalon Park gunfight that killed acquaintance Antinino Walker