Joseph Brittman | Homicide Watch Chicago

Police: Devon Clark fatally shot Joseph Brittman during Chicago Lawn argument

Michael Lansu — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 14:56:22 -0600

Devon Clark / Photo from Chicago Police

Devon Clark has been charged for allegedly fatally shooting Joseph Brittman last week in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood.

Clark, 19, was charged Saturday with first-degree murder for allegedly shooting Brittman in the back during an argument in the 6400 block of South Campbell Avenue about 3 p.m. Jan. 8, authorities said.

Brittman, 19, of the 6600 block of South Bell Avenue, was pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn later that day, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Police collected “multiple witness statements” before Clark was taken into custody, police said in a statement.

Clark, of the 600 block of East 50th Place, is expected to appear for a bond hearing Sunday.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Comment of the Day: "We grieve with you!"

Will Hager — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 16:38:48 -0600

Joseph Brittman, 19, was shot and killed Jan. 8 in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood. Reader Kristin Lems shared this about him:

"Randy and family, my deepest condolences to you on this horrible event. I am sure that you provided a wonderful role model to your son as you do to all of us here at work, and you always have for more than 20 years. We grieve with you!"

WEEK IN REVIEW: Three shot, one stabbed to death in city killings

Michael Lansu — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 08:50:01 -0600

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago Editor

Three men were fatally shot and a woman was stabbed to death in homicides throughout the city last week.

Three of the killings happened during indoor disputes, and at least one police called domestic-related.

The most recent murder happened when 16-year-old Marquise Harris was shot dead in a second-floor apartment in the 6200 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue about 11:20 p.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Harris got into a dispute with his girlfriend during a gathering at the apartment and a male friend of hers intervened, authorities said. Harris then got into a fight with the acquaintance, who allegedly shot Harris in the chest.

Harris, who lived on the block, died at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County at 12:05 a.m. Sunday, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

On Wednesday, Willie Smith was shot about 7 p.m. during an argument about whether or not a gun would fire at a relative's home in the 1700 block of East 72nd Street, authorities said.

During the argument, Joeann Smith pointed the gun at Willie Smith‘s face and pulled the trigger — shooting him in the eye, authorities said.

Willie Smith, of the 500 block of North Des Plaines Street, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he died at 9 a.m. Friday, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Joeann Smith, 52, was charged with one count of reckless discharge of a firearm, police said.

In the Chicago Lawn neighborhood, 19-year-old Joseph Brittman was shot in the back about 3:05 p.m. in the 6400 block of South Campbell Avenue, authorities said.

Brittman, of the 6600 block of South Bell Avenue, died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn about two hours later, according to the medical examiner’s office.

On Monday, Adan Montano allegedly fatally stabbed Stephanie Serrano about 10:15 p.m. at a party in an apartment in the 2900 block of West 63rd Street, authorities said.

Prosecutors said Montano brushed his teeth with the household-cleaning product “Fabuloso” and harassed her and other guests at his roommate's birthday party.

Montano, 37, and his roommate then got into a fight and Montano emerged from his bedroom with a butcher knife, prosecutors said. The partygoers fled, but Serrano fell and Montano allegedly stabbed her multiple times.

Serrano, of the 8300 block of South Komensky Avenue, died at Mount Sinai Hospital about an hour later, according to the medical examiner’s office said.

Joseph Brittman shot dead in Chicago Lawn

Michael Lansu — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:26:59 -0600

Joseph Brittman was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood.

Brittman, 19, was shot in the back about 3:05 p.m. in the 6400 block of South Campbell Avenue, authorities said.

Brittman, of the 6600 block of South Bell Avenue, was pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn at 5:24 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Area Central detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire