Lamont Jackson | Homicide Watch Chicago

Steven Blanchard charged with murder in 2013 Chatham shooting death of Leroy Griffin

Michael Lansu — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 08:51:13 -0600

Steven Blanchard / Photo from Cook County Sheriff's office

BY BRIAN SLODYSKO
Chicago Sun-Times

A third man was charged Sunday in the December 2013 slaying of Leroy Griffin, who was beaten then shot in the head by rival gang members outside a Chatham gas station.

Steven Blanchard, 26, who was charged with first-degree murder, is accused of being the triggerman who killed Griffin. He was ordered held without bail during a brief appearance before Cook County Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil.

Blanchard was in an SUV with six other people on Dec. 21, 2013, when someone spotted Griffin, 19, and a friend outside a gas station near the 7900 block of South Lafayette Avenue, according to authorities.

The group spilled out of the SUV and started beating Griffin, Assistant State’s Attorney LaShunda Cooperwood said. Meanwhile, Blanchard chased after Griffin’s friend, who sprinted away from the gas station. Blanchard fired shots at the friend but headed back to the gas station when he didn’t hit him.

As Blanchard walked back to join his group, he saw Griffin running toward him, Cooperwood said. He took aim and fired a single shot, striking Griffin in the head.

Blanchard, of the 1500 block of East 72nd Street, then rejoined the group, which fled in the SUV, authorities said.

Griffin, of the 7500 block of South Langley Avenue, was pronounced dead a short time later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Lamont Jackson, 24, and Louis Smith, 25, also were charged with murder in Griffin’s death in December 2014.

Parts of the attack were captured by surveillance cameras, though the shooting itself was not, prosecutors said.

Blanchard confessed to shooting Griffin when he was questioned, prosecutors said.

Louis Smith charged with murder in 2013 Chatham shooting death of Leroy Griffin

Michael Lansu — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 14:06:41 -0600

Louis Smith / Photo from Chicago Police

A second man has been charged with murder after authorities said he was part of a group that beat a man then shot him dead in the Chatham neighborhood.

On Dec. 21, 2013, Leroy Griffin was walking with an acquaintance to a gas station near 79th and State streets when a green vehicle stopped nearby, said Assistant State’s Attorney Beth Novy.

Lamont Jackson, 24, Louis Smith, 25, and five others exited the vehicle and approached Griffin and his acquaintance because they believed the pair were members of a rival gang responsible for killing a friend, Novy said.

The group beat Griffin while a gunman chased his acquaintance, who escaped by hiding in a gangway, Novy said.

The gunman then returned to where the group was beating Griffin and shot him once in the head, Novy said.

Griffin, 18, of the 7500 block of South Langley Avenue, was pronounced dead a short time later at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

After the shooting, the group got back in the green vehicle and fled the scene, Novy said.

Jackson was arrested this week and admitted to being part of the beating, Novy said. Video footage also allegedly shows him exiting the green vehicle prior to the attack.

Jackson was charged with first-degree murder and Judge James Brown ordered him held on $1 million bond during a Thursday court hearing.

Prosecutors noted that Jackson was previously convicted of battery in 2006 and unlawful use of a weapon in 2013.

On Friday, police announced that Smith, of the 6700 block of South Lafayette Avenue, was also been charged with first-degree murder, murder while committing another forcible felony and mob action.

The other attackers have not yet been charged for the killing.

-- Homicide Watch Chicago and Sun-Times Media Wire

Lamont Jackson charged with murder in 2013 Chatham shooting death of Leroy Griffin

Michael Lansu — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 14:06:45 -0600

Lamont Jackson / Photo from Chicago Police

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Lamont Jackson was ordered held on $1 million bond Thursday after prosecutors claim he was part of a group that beat Leroy Griffin then shot him dead in the Chatham community.

On Dec. 21, 2013, Griffin was walking with an acquaintance to a gas station near 79th and State streets when a green vehicle stopped nearby, said Assistant State's Attorney Beth Novy.

Jackson and six others exited the vehicle and approached Griffin and his acquaintance because they believed the pair were members of a rival gang responsible for killing a friend, Novy said.

The group beat Griffin while a gunman chased his acquaintance, who escaped by hiding in a gangway, Novy said.

The gunman then returned to where the group was beating Griffin and shot him once in the head, Novy said.

Griffin, 18, of the 7500 block of South Langley Avenue, was declared dead a short time later at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

After the shooting, the group got back in the green vehicle and fled the scene, Novy said.

Jackson, 24, was arrested this week and admitted to being part of the beating, Novy said. Video footage also allegedly shows him exiting the green vehicle prior to the attack.

Jackson was charged with first-degree murder and Judge James Brown ordered him held on $1 million bond during a Thursday court hearing.

Prosecutors noted that Jackson was previously convicted of battery in 2006 and unlawful use of a weapon in 2013.

The other attackers have not yet been charged for the killing.

-- Contributing: Rummana Hussain