Jerome Lofton | Homicide Watch Chicago

Comment of the Day: "[People] need to learn how to fight before picking up a gun"

Michael Lansu — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 16:10:18 -0500

Prosecutors claim Jerome Lofton fatally shot Darrien Jordan during a fight in the North Lawndale neighborhood. Reader "Darrenisha Holman" posted this about the killing:

I can't believe he took my Lil Bro away from us we all miss him so much we can't take this..ppl need to learn how to fight before picking up a gun to shot someone he didn't deserve his life taking away from him

WEEK IN REVIEW: Seven shot dead throughout Chicago

Michael Lansu — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 09:00:23 -0500

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

At least seven people were murdered throughout Chicago last week -- the city's lowest homicide total in three weeks.

All seven people were killed by gunfire. The deceased were six men and a woman.

The seven killings are the lowest weekly total since five people were killed May 12-18, according to Homicide Watch Chicago data. The next two weeks had 11 and 14 homicides.

The most recent murder happened when 36-year-old Kennyone Pendelton was shot in the chest multiple times in the 4600 block of West Jackson Boulevard about 9:25 p.m. Saturday, authorities said. Pendelton, of the 1100 block of North Lawler Avenue, died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

In the Washington Park neighborhood, 18-year-old Brian Weekly was shot multiple times in an alley in the 5600 block of South Wabash Avenue about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, authorities said. A 20-year-old man was also wounded but survived.

Weekly, of the 1400 block of West 79th Street, died at the scene, according to the examiner’s office.

On Friday, 22-year-old Carnesha Fort was shot in the 100 block of North Keeler Avenue about 10:45 p.m., authorities said. Fort, who lived on the block, died at Mount Sinai Hospital less than an hour later, according to the medical examiner’s office.

In Rogers Park, 18-year-old Alante Vallejo was shot in the 1900 block of West Howard Street about 1:45 p.m. Friday, authorities said. A 20-year-old man was also wounded but survived.

Vallejo, of the 200 block of Ridge Avenue in Evanston, died less than an hour later at Presence Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston.

Friend Jodeci Johnson said Vallejo had recently graduated from Evanston Township High School and was "planning his future."

On Thursday, 27-year-old Derrick Bowens was standing outside his home in the 7000 block of South Morgan Street when when a black car pulled up and a passenger in the rear seat shot him in the abdomen about 9:50 a.m., authorities said.

Bowens died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn hours later, according to the medical examiner’s office.

On Wednesday, 18-year-old Ronald Holliman was shot in the 4900 block of West West End Avenue about 5 p.m., authorities said. Two other men were wounded but survived.

Holliman, of the 5200 block of West Race Avenue, died at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to the medical examiner's office.

On Tuesday, Jerome Lofton fatally shot 21-year-old Darrien Jordan during an argument in the 3900 block of West Grenshaw Street, prosecutors said. Lofton, 32, of the 3700 block of West Polk Street, allegedly grabbed a gun from a vehicle and shot Jordan in the chest about 1:30 p.m.

Jordan, 21, who lived on the block, died hours later at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to the medical examiner's office.

Additionally, 25-year-old David M. Hernandez, of the 6000 block of South Lorel Avenue, died Monday from wounds suffered in a drive-by Sunday evening shooting in the 900 block of West 32nd Street in the Bridgeport neighborhood, authorities said.

Overall, the medical examiner’s office has ruled at least 165 Chicago deaths in 2014 a homicide — including seven people killed by police.

Additionally, the state’s attorney’s office filed first-degree murder charges against a speeding motorist who killed an off-duty police officer while trying to flee police even though the autopsy ruled the death an accident.

Chicago Police, which counts murders different, have ruled some of those homicides as involuntary manslaughter, justified self-defense or accidents.

Prosecutors: Jerome Lofton fatally shot Darrien Jordan during North Lawndale argument

Emily Brosious — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 16:37:02 -0500

Jerome Lofton / Photo from Chicago Police

BY EMILY BROSIOUS
Homicide Watch Chicago

Jerome Lofton attempted to pistol whip Darrien Jordan during an Tuesday afternoon fight in the North Lawndale neighborhood, prosecutors said.

Lofton then stepped back and shot Jordan in the abdomen, said Assistant State's Attorney Colleen Rogers.

The men had been arguing on a sidewalk in the 3900 block of West Grenshaw Street about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Rogers said. During the argument, a white car pulled up and Lofton allegedly reached inside and grabbed a handgun.

Lofton then dropped the gun back into the car and ran away, Rogers said.

Jordan, 21, who lived on the block, died at Mount Sinai Hospital at 4 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Jordan's longtime friend Savoia Johnson said she knew both men and described them as “buddies.”

“That’s why it’s so hard to believe he shot him. You always think it’s going to be a stranger, not someone you know, not a friend,” Johnson said.

Darrien Jordan / Photo from Facebook

Portions of the incident were captured on video, and several witnesses identified Lofton as the shooter, Rogers said.

Lofton, 32, of the 3700 block of West Polk Street, was charged with first-degree murder. Judge Laura Sullivan ordered him held without bond Friday.

A public defender said Lofton had attended Roberto Clemente High School and was working for a temp agency.

He will be back in court June 24.

Jerome Lofton charged with murder in North Lawndale shooting death of Darrien Jordan

Michael Lansu — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 14:25:58 -0500

Jerome Lofton / Photo from Chicago Police

BY JORDAN OWEN
Sun-Times Media

Jerome Lofton has been charged with murder for allegedly shooting Darrien Jordan during a Tuesday afternoon argument in the North Lawndale neighborhood.

Lofton got into an argument with Jordan in the 3900 block of West Grenshaw Street about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said. The dispute ended when Lofton allegedly shot the 21-year-old Jordan him in the abdomen area, authorities said.

Jordan, who lived on the block, died at Mount Sinai Hospital later that day, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Darrien Jordan / Photo from Facebook

Long-time friend Savoia Johnson said Jordan was “planning a big change in his life.” She said he didn’t deal drugs, wasn’t involved in gang activity and was shot because of a “crazy argument.”

Lofton, 32, of the 3700 block of West Polk Street, was charged with first-degree murder, police said.