Kortillious Gipson charged with murder in Humboldt Park shooting death of Samuel Walker Sr.

Michael Lansu — Thu, 28 May 2015 16:39:39 -0500

Kortillious Gipson / Photo from Chicago Police

BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN AND JORDAN OWEN
Chicago Sun-Times

Samuel Walker Sr. was killed just six days after his 13-year-old namesake son was murdered.

While no one has been charged with the teenage boy’s shooting, the alleged gunman in the elder Walker’s murder was arrested this week.

Walker was killed in an ongoing territorial drug dispute between two gangs in Humboldt Park and knew his shooter, prosecutors said.

Kortillious Gipson had been chasing after 34-year-old Walker and Walker’s friend on the morning of July 31, 2014, Assistant State’s Attorney Barry Quinn said.

An AT&T worker saw Gipson running after the pair, as did an of-duty security guard who almost hit Gipson with his car at the mouth of an alley at Division Street between Karlov and Kedvale avenues, Quinn said.

Gipson pointed his gun at the security guard, who remained seated in his car, but then went on chasing his prey, authorities said.

Gipson caught up with Walker in the 4100 block of West Crystal Street, jumped on top of a parked vehicle and started firing, striking Walker in the head, buttocks and arm, Quinn said.

A neighbor who knew Gipson by his nickname “Toaster” saw the shooting and later identified him in a line-up, as did the friend who was being chased with Walker, Quinn said.

Samuel Walker Sr. / Family Photo

The security guard had also identified Gipson in a photo array weeks after the murder, Quinn said.

Gipson, 23, allegedly admitted to shooting Walker and chasing him and his friend because they had been threatening his family.

Surveillance video also captured Gipson chasing the men in a black hooded sweatshirt, Quinn said.

Walker had gang affiliations, according to police.

Judge Peggy Chiampas ordered Gipson, of the 1100 block of North Kedvale Avenue, held without bond Thursday.

Gipson, who has a 5-year-old child, has previous convictions for drug and weapons cases.

Walker's son was shot to death less than a week before when someone opened fire on a group in the 700 block of South California Avenue, according to police.

Six other people, including two other teenage boys, were wounded in the 6 p.m. shooting on July 25, 2014, near where a church group was holding a gathering for youth to pray and play games.

The teen was shot in the head and died at the scene, the medical examiner’s office said.

Kortillious Gipson | Homicide Watch Chicago

Kortillious Gipson charged with murder in Humboldt Park shooting death of Samuel Walker Sr.