Damion Bryant | Homicide Watch Chicagohttp://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/damion-bryant/Latest news about Damion Bryanten-usSat, 23 Aug 2014 13:00:31 -0500Tyrell Birmingham charged with murder in Austin shooting death of Damion Bryanthttp://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/08/23/tyrell-birmingham-charged-with-murder-in-austin-shooting-death-of-damion-bryant/<img src="http://wordpress.homicidewatch.org/chicago/files/2014/08/TyrellBirmingham-300x225.jpg" alt="Tyrell Birmingham / Photo from Cook County Sheriff&#039;s office" width="300" height="225" class="size-medium wp-image-7790" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Tyrell Birmingham / Photo from Cook County Sheriff's office</p> <p>BY MICHAEL LANSU<br /> Homicide Watch Chicago Editor</p> <p><a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/suspects/tyrell-birmingham/">Tyrell Birmingham</a> was denied bond Saturday for allegedly opening fire on a group of people gathered on an Austin neighborhood porch -- killing <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/damion-bryant/">Damion Bryant</a> last month on the West Side.</p> <p>Bryant was socializing on a front porch of a home in the 5200 block of West Quincy Street when Birmingham drove past and opened fire on the group about 8 p.m. July 11, authorities said.</p> <p>Birmingham's brother had an ongoing drug-related dispute with a 37-year-old man on the porch, prosecutors said.<br /> <span id="more-7789"></span><br /> <iframe src="http://homicides.suntimes.com/api/v1/homicides/647.html" width="100%" height="350" frameborder=0></iframe></p> <p>Birmingham, 27, was the only person in the vehicle, which he drove slowly down the street then opened fire out the window with a semi-automatic handgun, prosecutors said.</p> <p>Bryant, 32, who lived on the block, was struck in the head and died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.</p> <p>Rev. Joe Davis described Bryant as a family man with several children who had a close relationship with his mother and sisters. <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/07/30/friend-damion-bryant-took-care-of-a-lot-of-people/">He also owned several stores in the neighborhood and would help young people find work</a>, Davis said.</p> <p>"Everybody looked up to him," Bryant's friend, Deangelo Henderson, said. "All the young guys including myself looked up to him."</p> <p>The 37-year-old man, a 41-year-old man and a 30-year-old old woman were also wounded, authorities said. A 37-year-old man was also hospitalized with a broken foot, police said.</p> <p>After the shooting, Birmingham attempted to drive away but was blocked by a vehicle in front of him, prosecutors said. Birmingham allegedly struck that vehicle multiple times to make good on his escape.</p> <p>Multiple people identified Birmingham as the shooter and he was Aug. 21. On Saturday, Judge Laura Sullivan ordered him held without bond.</p> <p>Birmingham will be back in court Sept. 11.</p> Michael LansuSat, 23 Aug 2014 13:00:31 -0500http://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/08/23/tyrell-birmingham-charged-with-murder-in-austin-shooting-death-of-damion-bryant/Damion BryantTyrell BirminghamComment of the Day: "My heart goes out to his mother Tangie, his sisters, and the many others ..."http://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/08/12/comment-of-the-day-my-heart-goes-out-to-his-mother-tangie-his-sisters-and-the-many-others/<p><a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/damion-bryant/">Damion Bryant</a> was fatally shot July 11 in the Austin neighborhood. Reader "Matt Rega" posted this about him:</p> <blockquote><p>Wooooow!!!! My brother from another mother. My favorite customer. My heart goes out to his mother Tangie, his sisters, and the many others that Damion knew. Gonna miss you big homie</p></blockquote> Michael LansuTue, 12 Aug 2014 16:03:39 -0500http://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/08/12/comment-of-the-day-my-heart-goes-out-to-his-mother-tangie-his-sisters-and-the-many-others/Damion BryantFriend: Slain businessman Damion Bryant 'took care of a lot of people'http://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/07/30/friend-damion-bryant-took-care-of-a-lot-of-people/<p><span class='embed-youtube' style='text-align:center; display: block;'><iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='500' height='312' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/tGBMEf5h2H4?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;fs=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></p> <p>BY EMILY BROSIOUS AND KALEY FOWLER<br /> Homicide Watch Chicago</p> <p>Many Austin neighborhood youths considered area business owner Damion Bryant a role model, friends said.</p> <p>“Everybody looked up to him,” said friend Deangelo Henderson. “All the young guys including myself looked up to him.”</p> <p>Bryant, 32, was fatally shot in the head during a drive-by shooting outside his home in the 5200 block of West Quincy Street about 8 p.m. July 11, authorities said. Three other people were wounded in the shooting.<br /> <span id="more-7369"></span><br /> <iframe src="http://homicides.suntimes.com/api/v1/homicides/647.html" width="100%" height="350" frameborder=0></iframe></p> <p>Rev. Joe Davis believes the attack that killed his friend was random or a case of mistaken identity because nobody would target Bryant, who he described as “just a regular guy” who stayed out of trouble. However, court records indicate Bryant had a pending drug and armed robbery case when he was killed.</p> <p>Davis described Bryant as a family man with several children who had a close relationship with his mother and sisters. He also owned several stores in the neighborhood and would help young people find work, Davis said.</p> <p>“If you needed help, he was the first to be there,” Davis said. “You never had to worry about him doing something for you then turning around and talking about it to someone else. He was just a good guy.”</p> <p>Henderson said Bryant lived on a quiet block, and his death will have a noticeable impact on the community.</p> <p>“He was just one of the good people that was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Henderson said. “A lot of people depended on him and he took care of a lot of people. Things will be different without him.” </p> <p>Nobody has been charged for the murder. Area North detectives are investigating.</p> Michael LansuWed, 30 Jul 2014 16:22:14 -0500http://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/07/30/friend-damion-bryant-took-care-of-a-lot-of-people/Damion BryantWEEK IN REVIEW: 12 dead from Chicago shootingshttp://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/07/14/week-in-review-12-dead-from-chicago-shootings/<p>BY MICHAEL LANSU<br /> Homicide Watch Chicago Editor</p> <p>Twelve people died last week from shootings throughout Chicago.</p> <p>Three of the shootings happened early last Monday at the end of a bloody Independence Day weekend that saw <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/07/07/11-dead-at-least-60-wounded-over-holiday-weekend/">13 people killed and 58 others wounded by gunfire</a>.</p> <p>The last shooting of the week happened when a gunman walked up to 28-year-old <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/william-lewis/">William Lewis</a> in the 1300 block of West Devon Avenue and shot him in the head 3:20 p.m. Saturday, authorities said.<br /> <span id="more-7113"></span><br /> Lewis, of the 4700 block of North Hermitage Avenue, died at Presence Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston less than an hour later, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.</p> <p>In the Chicago Lawn neighborhood, 27-year-old <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/adarrius-thompson/">Adarrius Thompson</a> and his 50-year-old mother were shot during a domestic dispute at their home in the 6200 block of South Rockwell Street, authorities said.</p> <p>Thompson was shot in the chest and died at the scene. His mother was also shot in the chest and was hospitalized at Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition, authorities said.</p> <p>On Friday, 32-year-old <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/damion-bryant/">Damion Bryant</a> was shot in the head just outside his home in the 5200 block of West Quincy Street in the Austin neighborhood and died at the scene about 8 p.m., authorities said. Three other people were wounded in the shooting but survived.</p> <p>On Wednesday, <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/jasmine-curry/">Jasmine Curry</a> -- a pregnant 24-year-old mother of five -- was shot while in a minivan traveling south on the Dan Ryan Expressway near 59th Street, family said.</p> <p>“I just don’t understand young people in Chicago today,” said her father, Pierre Curry. “<a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/07/09/jasmine-curry-killed-in-shooting-on-dan-ryan-expressway/">They don’t give a damn. They ain’t got no heart</a>.”</p> <p>Jasmine Curry’s death comes slightly less than a year after her brother <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/pierce-curry/">Pierce L. Curry</a> was fatally shot while riding in a vehicle on the South Side in the early morning hours of Aug. 27, 2013.</p> <p>On Tuesday, 23-year-old <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/bruce-wright/">Bruce Wright</a> was shot while riding a bicycle in the 900 block of North Hamlin Avenue about 10:10 p.m., authorities said. Wright, of the 0-100 block of North Hamlin Avenue, was shot in the head and died at the scene.</p> <p>Wright was <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/28592247-761/two-city-murder-victims-were-previously-shot-twice.html#.U8KvbKgRbIB">previously wounded in the left forearm just six days earlier</a> — on July 2. He told police he heard shots and felt pain in his arm.</p> <p>On Sept. 2, he was shot in his left wrist during a drive-by shooting, police said.</p> <p>In the Washington Heights neighborhood, 17-year-old <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/marcel-pearson/">Marcel Pearson</a> and a 15-year-old acquaintance had just left a store and were walking through Robichaux Park in the 9200 block of South Eggleston Avenue when a white van pulled up about 10 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said. A gunman exited and opened fire — hitting Pearson in the chest and back, police said.</p> <p>Pearson, of the 1400 block of West 114th Place, was dead at the scene by the time emergency personnel arrived, according to the medical examiner’s office.</p> <p>Friends said Pearson played basketball at Johnson College Prep High School was <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/07/09/friend-marcel-pearson-just-wanted-to-move-out-of-the-hood/">about to start at Western Illinois University</a>.</p> <p>On Monday, 19-year-old <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/jaynisha-scheffer/">Jaynisha Scheffer</a> was walking with a group in the 2200 block of West 69th Street when someone rode up on a bicycle and opened fire at 7:05 p.m., authorities said.</p> <p>Scheffer, of the 7600 block of South Paulina Street, was shot in the back and died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn later that night, authorities said.</p> <p>In the South Chicago neighborhood, 24-year-old <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/joey-henderson/">Joey Henderson</a> was shot in the 8400 block of South Buffalo Avenue when he was shot about 2:20 a.m. Monday, authorities said.</p> <p>Henderson, who lived on the block, was shot in the back, chest, right arm and eye and died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital about an hour later, authorities said.</p> <p>In the Washington Heights neighborhood, 19-year-old <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/cassius-white/">Cassius White</a> and a 16-year-old acquaintance were shot in the 9600 block of South Sangamon Avenue about 12:30 a.m. Monday, authorities said.</p> <p>White, of the 8200 block of South Dante Avenue, was shot in the abdomen area and died later that day at Christ Medical Center, according to the medical examiner’s office. The 16-year-old was also wounded, but survived, police said.</p> <p>The killings started when 44-year-old <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/tonya-gunn/">Tonya Gunn</a> was leaning against a car and talking to her cousin after a cookout at her grandfather’s house in the 10900 block of South Throop Street when gunshots rang out about 12:30 a.m. Monday, authorities said.</p> <p>Gunn, who lived on the block, was shot in the side and died less than an hour later at Roseland Community Hospital.</p> <p>“<a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/07/07/south-side-mom-tonya-gunn-killed-in-random-gun-violence/">As far as her being in the wrong place at the wrong time — I can’t say that</a>,” Gunn’s cousin, Annette Scott, said.</p> <p>Additionally, two people died last week from earlier gunshot wounds.</p> <p><a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/william-allen/">William Allen</a>, 25, of the 3500 block of South State Street, died last Monday after being shot June 6 near East 80th Street and South Muskegon Avenue, authorities said. Two other men were wounded, but survived.</p> <p><a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/debra-escobedo/">Debra Escobedo</a>, 49, died Monday afternoon after being shot about 3 a.m. June 1 in the 2700 block of West 24th Street, authorities said. Escobedo, of the 3100 block of South Green Street, was talking with a group outside a bar when a gunman approached and opened fire, police and family said.</p> <p>Overall, the medical examiner’s office has ruled at least 216 Chicago deaths in 2014 a homicide — including nine people killed by police.</p> <p>Additionally, the state’s attorney’s office filed first-degree murder charges <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/03/16/10-million-bond-for-woman-charged-with-murder-in-crash-that-killed-off-duty-cop/">against a speeding motorist who killed an off-duty police officer</a> while trying to flee police even though the autopsy ruled the death an accident.</p> <p>Chicago Police, <a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/2013/12/30/homicides-why-do-chicago-police-and-the-medical-examiners-office-report-different-totals/">which counts murders different</a>, have ruled some of those homicides as involuntary manslaughter, justified self-defense or accidents.</p> Michael LansuMon, 14 Jul 2014 09:51:49 -0500http://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/07/14/week-in-review-12-dead-from-chicago-shootings/William AllenDamion BryantJasmine CurryDebra EscobedoTonya GunnJody HendersonWilliam LewisMarcel PearsonJaynisha SchafferAdarrius ThompsonCassius WhiteBruce WrightDamion Bryant killed in Austin shootinghttp://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/07/12/damien-bryant-killed-in-austin-shooting/<p><iframe src="http://homicides.suntimes.com/api/v1/homicides/647.html" width="100%" height="350" frameborder=0></iframe></p> <p><a href="http://homicides.suntimes.com/victims/damion-bryant/">Damion Bryant</a> was killed in possible drive-by shooting in the Austin neighborhood Friday night that left three other people wounded.</p> <p>Bryant, 32, was shot in the head just after 8 p.m. in the 5200 block of West Quincy Street and died at the scene, authorities said. He lived on the block.<br /> <span id="more-7103"></span><br /> Three other people were wounded in the shooting, police said.</p> <p>A 30-year-old woman was shot multiple times and showed up at Loretto Hospital, police said. She and was later transferred to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County.</p> <p>A 41-year-old man took himself to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park with a gunshot wound to his hand, police said.</p> <p>Another male, whose age was not known, was shot in the right arm and refused medical treatment, police said. He did not cooperate with authorities, police said.</p> <p>Additionally, a 37-year-old man was taken from the scene to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park with a broken foot, police said.</p> <p>Police believe the shooting may have been a drive-by attack.</p> <p>Nobody has been charged for the murder.</p> <p>Area North detectives are investigating.</p> <p>-- Sun-Times Media Wire</p> Michael LansuSat, 12 Jul 2014 12:04:35 -0500http://homicides.suntimes.com/2014/07/12/damien-bryant-killed-in-austin-shooting/Damion Bryant