Prosecutor: Woman killed Ireal Mitchell because he slapped her stepson on a basketball court in West Garfield Park

Jeff Mayes — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 09:08:51 -0600

By RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

Sirena Crosby | Chicago Police

A West Side woman gunned down Ireal C. Mitchell in a drive-by shooting because he had slapped her stepson on the basketball courts, Cook County prosecutors said Thursday.

Sirena Crosby’s stepson came home Aug. 8 and told her that Mitchell hit him after a verbal altercation near Polk Street and Springfield Avenue, prosecutors said in court.

So Crosby went to the basketball courts and confronted Mitchell, 22, Assistant State’s Attorney Bryan Grissman said.

But she wasn’t finished, according to authorities.

Crosby went back to her home in the 400 block of North Springfield and allegedly told a man to get a gun. The pair got in Crosby’s silver Chevrolet Malibu and drove around looking for Mitchell, Grissman said.

Crosby, 38, was behind the wheel and drove around the basketball court several times before she saw Mitchell in the 800 block of South Springfield, Grissman said.

Ireal C. Mitchell | Facebook

She reached out of the driver’s side window and fired several times when Mitchell crossed the street in front of her vehicle, Grissman said.

Then Crosby and her cohort drove away, Grissman said.

Crosby was charged with murder, and Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. ordered her held in on a $3 million bond.

Mitchell, of the 4000 block of West 5th Avenue, was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy found he died of gunshot wounds to the torso and right upper arm.

Surveillance footage captured the shooting from the Malibu, Grissman said. Several witnesses also saw Crosby confront Mitchell and saw her driving the car.

Others also heard Crosby telling the male co-offender to get the weapon and heard her saying that Mitchell was going to die, Grissman said.

Sirena Crosby | Homicide Watch Chicago

Prosecutor: Woman killed Ireal Mitchell because he slapped her stepson on a basketball court in West Garfield Park