Kristopher Pitts | Homicide Watch Chicago

WEEK IN REVIEW: 14 killed in Chicago violence

Michael Lansu — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 08:19:40 -0500

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago

At least 14 people were killed throughout Chicago last week.

Seven of the killings happened over the weekend, when at least 24 other people were wounded by gunfire.

The most recent killings happened minutes apart on the West Side.

A 53-year-old man was fatally shot in the 4900 block of West Lake Street in the Austin community about 7:10 p.m. Sunday, police said. The Cook County medical examiner's office has not yet released his name.

Less than five minutes later, a 27-year-old man was shot while standing on a sidewalk in the 100 block of North Cicero Avenue in Austin, police said. The medical examiner's office has not yet released his name.

In the Chatham neighborhood, a 25-year-old man was standing in the 0 – 50 block of East 88th Street when a white van pulled up and a gunman inside opened fire about 12:15 p.m., police said.

The man, who has not yet been identified, was shot three times and died less than an hour later at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, authorities said.

On Saturday, 25-year-old Kevin O'Malley was shot in the chest during a cellphone robbery in the 900 block of West Oakdale Avenue in Lake View about 2 a.m., authorities said.

Kristopher Pitts, 22, of the 1100 block of North Central Park Avenue, was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm for the shooting, police said. He was ordered held without bond Sunday.

In the South Shore community, 19-year-old Demetrius P. Hill Jr. was shot in the head in the hallway of a building in the 6800 block of South Ridgeland Avenue about 1:25 a.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Hill, of the 7100 block of South Constance Avenue, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he later died, according to the medical examiner’s office.

In Pilsen, 43-year-old Rudy Avina was sitting at Simone’s Bar, a popular spot in the 900 block of West 18th Street, when Ulises Almaraz walked up behind him and slit his throat about 12:30 a.m. Saturday, authorities said. Avina, who lived blocks way, was dead at the scene.

Almaraz, of west suburban Berwyn, was ordered held without bond Sunday.

In Little Village, 24-year-old Jose Velasquez was shot in the back in the 2100 block of South Fairfield Avenue about 12:05 a.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Velasquez, of the 2800 block of West 21st Street, died at Mount Sinai Hospital at 1:41 a.m., according to the medical examiner’s office.

On Friday, 19-year-old Shaquon Thomas was in the 4800 block of North Kenmore Avenue when gunfire erupted about 1:35 a.m., authorities said.

Thomas, who rapped under the name Young Pappy, died at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center less than an hour later, authorities said.

On Thursday, 52-year-old John L. Rainey got into a fight with another man about 11 p.m. in the 300 block of North Menard Avenue in Austin and collapsed afterwards, authorities said.

Rainey, who lived on the block, died at the scene, according to the medical examiner’s office.

An autopsy determined Rainey died a “sudden death following scuffle” caused by hypertensive and heart disease. Diabetes was also listed as a contributing factor, according to the medical examiner’s office, which ruled the death a homicide.

In West Elsdon, emergency crews found 22-year-old Carlos Herrera and 49-year-old Maria Herrera inside their burning home in the 3600 block of West 55th Place about 2:50 p.m., authorities said.

Prosecutors said 20-year-old Jose Guzman stabbed his aunt and cousin “because he wanted to steal their gold.” Guzman, who was found hiding in a closet at his home in the 3800 block of West 55th Place, was ordered held without bond.

On Monday, 17-year-old Ronnie Shaw Jr. was walking in the 4900 block of West Erie Street in Austin when a gunman confronted him and shot him as he tried to run away about 7:50 p.m., authorities said.

Shaw, of the 4900 block of West Ferdinand Street, died at Mount Sinai Hospital less than an hour later, according to the medical examiner’s office.

In the Bronzeville neighborhood, 19-year-old Robert Richmond was in a vehicle in the 0-100 block of East 36th Place when a gunman in a passing vehicle opened fire about 5:25 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

Richmond, of the 6100 block of South King Drive, was shot in the back and a family member took him to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where he was declared dead at about two hours later, authorities said.

The shooting happened less than a block from Perspectives/IIT Math and Science Academy at 3663 S. Wabash Ave. and about a block south of Chicago Police Headquarters at 3500 S. Michigan Ave.

The killing started when 29-year-old Felix Diaz was shot while sitting in a vehicle in the 4100 block of North Hamlin Avenue in the Irving Park community about 2:30 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

Diaz, of the 3300 block of West Belle Plaine Avenue, died at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center about two hours later, authorities said.

Additionally, 33-year-old Kristopher Claybon died Saturday after being shot while sitting in a vehicle parked outside his home in the 5700 block of South Hermitage Avenue about 4:45 p.m. Feb. 16, authorities said. Claybon's death was ruled a homicide.

In 2015, the medical examiner’s office has ruled at least 170 Chicago deaths a homicide, including one person fatally shot by police.

Prosecutors: Kristopher Pitts stole cellphone, cash then fatally shot Kevin O'Malley in Lake View

Michael Lansu — Sun, 31 May 2015 17:39:04 -0500

Kristopher Pitts / Photo from Chicago Police

BY SAM CHARLES
Chicago Sun-Times

Kristopher Pitts was ordered held without bond Sunday after prosecutors claim he fatally shot Kevin O'Malley during a robbery in the Lake View neighborhood.

Pitts robbed O’Malley of his cellphone and cash about 2 a.m. Saturday in the 900 block of West Oakdale Avenue, authorities said.

O’Malley chased after Pitts and, after the two began fighting, Pitts pulled out a small silver revolver and shot O’Malley twice in the chest, Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Cooper said.

O’Malley, 25, died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

O’Malley, who grew up in south suburban Palos Park, lived on the North Side and worked in River North, according to a coworker, who asked to remain anonymous. O’Malley enjoyed sports, especially the Sox and Bulls.

CTA surveillance video captured Pitts scaling a nearby building and climbing onto the Wellington Brown Line platform, where he was taken into custody, Cooper said.

When he was arrested, Pitts was only wearing one blue shoe. A matching shoe was found at the scene of the shooting, prosecutors said.

Kevin O'Malley / Photo from Facebook

O’Malley’s cellphone was found in Pitts’ pocket and three witnesses identified Pitts in a lineup, Cooper said.

Pitts, 22, of the 1100 block of North Central Park Avenue, was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm for the shooting.

Pitts was out on bond after he was charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer, Cooper said.

He will be back in court Monday.

Kevin O'Malley killed in Lake View shooting

Michael Lansu — Sat, 30 May 2015 16:17:40 -0500

Kevin O'Malley / Photo from Facebook

BY MICHAEL LANSU AND GEORGE SLEFO
Chicago Sun-Times

Kevin O’Malley spent last week searching for the perfect gift for his girlfriend's upcoming birthday, a coworker said.

O'Malley won't get the chance to celebrate that birthday after the 25-year-old was shot to death early Saturday in the Lake View neighborhood.

Authorities said O'Malley got into a fight with another man in the 900 block of West Oakdale Avenue about 2 a.m.

During the fight, the other man pulled out a gun and shot O'Malley twice in the chest, authorities said. He died at the scene.

O'Malley, who grew up in south suburban Palos Park, lived on the North Side and worked in River North, according to a coworker, who asked to remain anonymous.

"He was a really nice guy. He always had a positive attitude and always liked to joke around," the coworker said. "He was very smart, but was one of those people that also didn't take things too seriously."

O'Malley enjoyed sports, especially the Sox and Bulls, the coworker said.

Kristopher Pitts / Photo from Chicago Police

Saturday evening, police announced that Kristopher K. Pitts was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm for the shooting. Police said the shooting might have stemmed from an armed robbery for a cell phone.

Pitts, 22, of the 1100 block of North Central Park Avenue, is expected to appear in court for a bond hearing on Sunday, police said.

After the shooting, authorities found his body in an alley underneath CTA train tracks, about a block east from a stretch of popular bars and restaurants on Sheffield Avenue.

Police said Pitts initially fled the scene, but was captured a short time later.

A man working nearby, who declined to give his name, said he did not hear any gunshots.

"The train comes and goes, and it’s loud," the man said. "It’s crazy something like this would happen here."

Ald. Tom Tunney (44th) said in an email to area residents there were multiple witness.

“I will continue to work with our Chicago Police Department and neighbors to do everything we can to keep our streets safe,” Tunney said.

Scene where Kevin O’Malley was shot dead / Photo by George Slefo