WEEK IN REVIEW: At least 11 people killed in Chicago violence

Jeff Mayes — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 16:45:53 -0500

By JEFF MAYES
Chicago Sun-Times Wire

At least 11 people died from violence in Chicago last week, including four killed over a bloody weekend during which more than 50 other people were wounded by gunfire.

The week's latest homicide was a man shot Sunday afternoon in North Lawndale, one of at least 57 people shot over the weekend.

About 3 p.m., Quinton D. Goins, 25, was inside a car in the 3900 block of West Roosevelt Road when another car drove by and people from inside both cars began shooting at each other, according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Goins, of the 3000 block of West Flournoy Street, was shot in the back and shoulder, and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was died at 2:42 p.m., authorities said.

A man was shot to death early Sunday in Longwood Manor on the South Side.

Marcus Cox, 28, was standing outside about 4:20 a.m. in the 9600 block of South Morgan when someone fired shots in his direction, striking him in the abdomen, according to police and the medical examiner’s office.

Cox, who lived on the same block as the shooting, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead at 3:19 p.m., the medical examiner’s office said.

One man was killed and another critically wounded in a shooting early Sunday in Pilsen.

About 3:20 a.m., the men, 33 and 24, were driving in the 1100 West block of 18th Street when someone walked out of an alley and opened fire, police said. Both were shot in the head.

The younger man, Abraham Barrera, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he later died, police said. Barrera lived in the 4100 block of West 58th Place.

The 24-year-old was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition.

Police are investigating whether the shooting was gang-related.

Courtney Caldwell was fatally shot in a Bronzeville apartment complex Saturday afternoon, and a suspect is behind bars.

Bond was denied for Marvin Lee, 34, who is charged with first-degree murder for the death of the 25-year-old Caldwell, according to police and the Cook County sheriff's office.

About noon Saturday, Lee allegedly opened fire during an argument inside an apartment in the 700 block of East 47th Street, police said.

Caldwell suffered three gunshot wounds and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died at 12:43 p.m., according to authorities. He lived in the 7100 block of South Shore Drive.

A woman is in custody for the fatal stabbing of a 21-year-old man in the West Pullman neighborhood Friday morning.

Police were called about 8:40 a.m. to a home in the 12100 block of South Bishop, where they found Joshua Dean unresponsive with a chest wound, according to police and the medical examiner’s office.

He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead at 9:55 a.m., authorities said.

Police said the attack was domestic-related. An autopsy Saturday ruled his death a homicide.

A woman was arrested at the scene and charges were pending Saturday afternoon, police said.

Alexander Velazquez died Friday of wounds he suffered in a West Elsdon neighborhood shooting early Tuesday.

About 12:50 a.m., the 21-year-old Velazquez was standing on a corner in the 5800 block of South Pulaski when he shouted gang slogans at a vehicle and threw a can at it, according to police and the medical examiner’s office.

Someone in the vehicle then opened fire, striking him in the head, police said.

Velazquez was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition, and was pronounced dead there at 3:19 p.m. Friday, authorities said. He lived in the 3800 block of West 58th Place.

The suspected shooter drove off after the shooting. One person was taken into custody and questioned about the shooting, but was later released without charges.

A 20-year-old man was fatally shot Thursday afternoon in the South Commons neighborhood.

About 3:35 p.m., Darian Gunn was standing in the street in the 3000 block of South Michigan Avenue when a gunman in a dark-colored car opened fire, striking him in the back and buttocks, according to police and the medical examiner’s office. The car then continued eastbound on Cermak Road.

Gunn was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died at 4:13 p.m., authorities said. He lived in the 2300 block of East 70th Street.

Forty-eight-year-old Neal Bratcher was fatally shot late Wednesday in the Burnside neighborhood on the South Side.

About 11:10 p.m., Bratcher was standing on a sidewalk in the 9200 block of South University when someone walked up and opened fire, according to police and the medical examiner’s office.

Bratcher was shot in the chest, leg and face; and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead at 12:06 a.m. Thursday. His home address was unknown.

Jermel Clay died Wednesday, five days after being shot in Austin.

The 30-year-old Clay was one of three men shot about 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, in the 400 block of South Central, according to police and the medical examiner’s office.

Clay, of the 2700 block of West 15th Street, suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and face. He was taken to Loretto Hospital before being transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital, police said. He was pronounced dead there at 6:52 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, according to the medical examiner’s office.

A 38-year-old man was shot in the buttocks and taken to Loretto, while a 41-year-old man was shot in the ankle and right shoulder, and was taken to Mount Sinai, according to police. Their conditions were stabilized.

Another man was fatally shot in Burnside on Tuesday afternoon.

Marsolino White suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the back of the head in the 9300 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue at 3:30 p.m., police said.

White, 28, of the 7700 block of South Coles, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he died at 4:19 p.m., according to the medical examiner's office.

On Thursday, 27-year-old Stephen Crump of the 300 block of East 70th Place was charged with first-degree murder for the shooting, police said.

In the week's first homicide, Joseph Smith was shot and killed in Austin on Monday evening. The 23-year-old was walking in the 5500 block of West Potomac about 6:15 p.m. when someone walked up and fired shots at him, according to police and the medical examiner’s office.

Smith, who lived in the 1500 block of South Luna, was shot in the back and left leg; and was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he later died, authorities said.

Joseph Smith fatally shot while walking in Austin

Jeff Mayes — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 09:25:47 -0500

Joseph Smith was shot and killed in the West Side Austin neighborhood Monday evening.

Smith, 23, was walking in the 5500 block of West Potomac about 6:15 p.m. when someone walked up and fired shots at him, according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Smith, who lived in the 1500 block of South Luna, was shot in the back and left leg, and was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he was later pronounced dead, authorities said.

--Chicago Sun-Times Wire

Joseph Smith | Homicide Watch Chicago

WEEK IN REVIEW: At least 11 people killed in Chicago violence

Joseph Smith fatally shot while walking in Austin