Gang member gets 51 years for fatal revenge shooting that killed Miguel Hernandez in 2014 in South Chicago

Jeff Mayes — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 11:52:35 -0600

By JORDAN OWEN
Chicago Sun-Times Wire

Khalie Early | Illinois Dept. of Corrections

A gang member was sentenced to 51 years in prison last for a fatal retaliation shooting in the South Chicago neighborhood in 2014 that took the life of Miguel Hernandez.

Khalie Early, 21, was found guilty of murder and aggravated battery with discharge of a firearm on Jan. 7 after a trial, according to Cook County court records.

Early, an admitted member of the Black P-Stone gang, went to 86th and Escanaba on Sept. 28, 2014, because he knew the area was controlled by the Vice Lords, prosecutors said at the time.

Early, armed with a loaded semi-automatic handgun, was looking for revenge for the shooting of a fellow gang member, prosecutors said.

Miguel Hernandez | Facebook

Early saw Miguel Hernandez standing on a porch in the 8500 block of South Escanaba and opened fire, authorities said.

Hernandez, 24, who lived on the block, was shot multiple times and died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

An 18-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man standing at a nearby train station were also wounded, authorities said.

Early ran away after the shooting, but when he walked out of a nearby gangway, witnesses already talking to responding police officers identified him as the gunman, prosecutors said. The handgun used in the shooting was also recovered.

Judge Vincent Gaughan sentenced Early to 45 years for the murder and six years for the firearm charge on Wednesday, according to court records. The sentences will be served consecutively for a total of 51 years.

Early, formerly of the 8700 block of South Burley, was admitted to the Stateville Correctional Center on Thursday, according to IDOC records.

Prosecutors: Khalie Early killed Miguel Hernandez in revenge shooting

Michael Lansu — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 14:20:19 -0500

Khalie Early / Photo from Chicago Police

BY KENNY NGUYEN
Homicide Watch Chicago

Purported gang member Khalie Early went out Sunday night looking for revenge after a fellow gang member was wounded in a shooting earlier that day.

Early, an admitted member of the Black P-Stone street gang, went to East 86th Street and South Escanaba Avenue because he knew the area was controlled by the Vice Lords street gang, said Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Santini.

Early, armed with a loaded semi-automatic handgun, was “looking to exact revenge for the shooting of a fellow gangbanger,” Santini said.

Early, 20, saw Miguel Hernandez standing on a porch in the 8500 block of South Escanaba Avenue and opened fire, Santini said.

Hernandez, 24, who lived on the block, was shot multiple times and died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

An 18-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man standing by a nearby train station were also wounded, Santini said. Ambulances took both to area hospitals for treatment.

Miguel Hernandez / Photo from Facebook

Early initially fled after the shooting, but when he walked out of a nearby gangway witnesses already talking to responding police officers identified him as the gunman, Santini said.

Police searched the area and found the alleged handgun, Santini said.

After being arrest, Early, of the 8700 block of South Burley Avenue, admitted to detectives that he went to Vice Lord territory to exact revenge, authorities said.

On Wednesday, Judge James Brown ordered Early held without bond.

Khalie Early | Homicide Watch Chicago

Gang member gets 51 years for fatal revenge shooting that killed Miguel Hernandez in 2014 in South Chicago

Prosecutors: Khalie Early killed Miguel Hernandez in revenge shooting