17-year-old boy charged as adult with gang-related murder of Mahdi Herring in August in Park Manor

Jeff Mayes — Fri, 28 Oct 2016 11:54:52 -0500

By RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

Mahdi Herring | Facebook

A 17-year-old boy was ordered held without bond Thursday for a gang-related shooting that left 19-year-old Mahdi Herring dead and two others wounded on the South Side over the summer.

Herring and a 16-year-old boy were standing outside the 71st Meat Market, at the corner at 71st and Rhodes, on the afternoon of Aug. 27 when someone who was aware of on-going gang conflicts told them Jarvis Hayes and another person were approaching, Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney Jamie Santini said.

Herring and the boy ended up walking across the street to the porch of a nearby residence. But Hayes and his friend kept approaching their rivals, taunting them for walking away, Santini said.

The two groups started fighting and Hayes threw a punch at the 16-year-old boy who was with Herring, Santini said.

Herring then stepped into the fight, Santini said. That’s when Hayes and his friend pulled out their guns and start firing, Santini said.

Herring was shot in the back as he tried to flee. When he fell to the ground, Hayes’ friend, who has not yet been charged, shot Herring in the head, Santini said.

The 16-year-old who was with Herring was shot in the thigh, Santini said, and a 34-year-old bystander was wounded in the upper back.

Hayes and his friend ran away, and the three victims were taken to hospitals.

While the two others survived, Herring died.

Herring and Hayes were members of rival gangs, Santini said.

A witness identified Hayes as one of the shooters, Santini said.

Hayes, of the 600 block of East 88th, was arrested Wednesday while in gym class at his high school, an assistant public defender told Judge James Brown. He was charged as an adult.

When Santini mentioned that Hayes could possibly face life in prison if convicted, several family and friends screamed and were escorted out of the courtroom by sheriff’s deputies.

Jarvis Hayes | Homicide Watch Chicago

17-year-old boy charged as adult with gang-related murder of Mahdi Herring in August in Park Manor