Mother trying to help in the hunt for her son's killer, while still grieving and raising her grandchildren

Jeff Mayes — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 14:45:55 -0600

By TIFFANY MITCHELL
Homicide Watch Chicago

When Martell Howard was fatally shot two months ago in the West Garfield Park neighborhood, he was hanging out with people he thought were his friends, according to his mother.

“He was not in a gang, he was an outgoing young man who loved his family and friends,” Peaches Barker McCorttrell said of her son.

And she should know.

“Martell was such a great help to me with his younger sister. He would pick her up and watch her until I got off of work," she said.

“My son was so helpful, I remember when I opened up my boutique and I couldn’t afford workers, so he said, 'Mama, I will work for you for free'," she said.

It was a special bond between mother and son.

“Me and my boys were so close, I would put them into programs such as the YMCA, Family Focus, and basketball camps to keep them out of the streets,” she said.

McCorttrell has been devastated by the loss of her son.

“I get comfort in going to the cemetery everyday, I just can’t believe he is gone,” she said.

According to McCortrell, Howard was outside with friends in the Garfield Park area when he was shot. It happened in the 4600 block of West Huron at about 7:19 p.m. Jan. 21.

Police said Howard got into an argument, when someone shot through a crowd of people and killed him.

According to police and Cook County medical examiner’s office, he was dropped off at Stroger Hospital, where he died about an hour later.

Howard was the middle of three children and enjoyed basketball video games, according to his mom.

He also leaves behind two children of his own 6-year-old Treyvon Howard and 4-year-old Contina Howard, his mother said.

“Martell had his kids every weekend and every holiday, but now I have the kids because he’s gone,” McCortrell said. “He was not just a money dad, he was a hands-on dad.”

“The church was packed with family and friends on the day of his funeral, because he was loved by many,” she said.

Howard graduated from Marshall High School, and later worked at Dunkin Doughnuts in Hillsideand Mariano’s in Westchester.

“My son would do anything for you,” McCorttrell said. “He would bring doughnuts to his friends and family just because.”

It’s been hard on his family since that fatal night, but a grieving mother is still trying to help police find the killer.

“My son fell victim to the streets, that’s why I’m doing what I can to get my son’s story out there by putting a $7,000 reward out for justice for my son," she said of the posters she has put up and posted across social media.

She said she felt like a part of her soul left her body when her son died, and she wants the killer to turn himself in.

“I put flyers all over the neighborhood, so Martell's murderer will not get any rest, because every time they look around they will see his picture.”

WEEK IN REVIEW: Eight people were fatally shot, and one was stabbed to death in Chicago violence

Jeff Mayes — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 16:00:10 -0600

By JEFF MAYES
Chicago Sun-Times Wire

At least eight people were killed by gunfire in Chicago last week, and a ninth man was stabbed to death as the violent start to 2016 continued in spite of some frigid temperatures.

Alphonzo Guinyard, 26, man was stabbed to death during an argument Sunday morning in East Garfield Park, Chicago Police said. Two men were arguing in the 3400 block of West Polk when it escalated into a fight about 9:20 a.m. The older man, 32, then stabbed the Guinyard in the back. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said the argument was domestic-related, but the exact relationship between the men was not immediately known. The suspect was taken into custody and charges are pending, police said.

One man was killed and another wounded in a shooting Saturday night in Roseland. The men, ages 21 and 26, were sitting in a car parked in the 9600 block of South Calumet about 10:45 p.m. when a gunman got out of a dark-colored car, walked up and started shooting, according to police. A friend drove them to Roseland Community Hospital.

The older man, identified as Orlando McArther, was shot in the back of the head and the left arm, according to police and the medical examiner’s office. McArther, of the 9600 block of South Forest, was then taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:10 p.m. Sunday.

The younger man was shot in the buttocks and his condition was stabilized, police said.

A man was shot to death Saturday morning in the Homan Square neighborhood on the West Side.

Derrius Lares, 22, was found about 7 a.m. in a backyard in the 3300 block of West Polk with multiple gunshot wounds to his chest, according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Lares, of the 6600 block of South Hoyne Avenue, was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:10 a.m.

A man was fatally shot in the lobby of a hotel near McCormick Place early Saturday, according to police.

About 2:20 a.m., 25-year-old Courtney Taylor was among several people fighting in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place at 2233 S. King Drive, police and the medical examiner’s office said. During the fight, someone pulled out a gun and shot him in the head.

Taylor, of the 6800 block of South Paulina Avenue, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. An autopsy Saturday found that he died of multiple gunshot wounds.

A 19-year-old man was found fatally shot in the Back of the Yards neighborhood Thursday night.

Juan C. Gonzalez was found lying face down next to an SUV in an alley in the 4700 block of South Wood about 10:20 p.m., according to police and the medical examiner’s office. He was shot in the chest.

Gonzalez, of the 5100 block of South Bishop, was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:20 p.m., authorities said.

A man was shot to death on the block where he lived in the North Austin neighborhood Thursday night.

Deante Dale, 20, was found unresponsive in the front seat of a car parked in the 1700 block of North Menard about 10:12 p.m., according to police and the medical examiner's office. He had been shot in the left shoulder. Dale was pronounced dead at 11:03 p.m. at Mount Sinai Hospital.

A west suburban man was killed and another man wounded in a shooting Thursday evening in West Garfield Park. The men, ages 21 and 23, were both shot at 7:19 p.m. in the 4600 block of West Huron, according to police.

The older man, identified as Martel Howard of Westchester, was shot multiple times in the abdomen and was dropped off at Stroger Hospital, where he died at 8:08 p.m., according to police and the medical examiner's office.

The younger man was shot in both legs and was also driven to Stroger, where his condition was stabilized.

Lionel Williams was killed and two other men wounded in an Englewood neighborhood shooting Wednesday night.

The three were standing outside in the 5700 block of South Green about 7:15 p.m. when they heard gunshots, police said.

Williams, 24, who lived on the same block, was killed in the shooting, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy showed he died of multiple gunshot wounds.

A 34-year-old man was shot in the abdomen and foot, police said. He was in serious condition. The third man, 41, was shot in the arm and was in fair condition.

Giovani Salgado was shot to death late Monday while sitting in a car in the Rogers Park neighborhood on the North Side.

Salgado, 21, was found in the passenger seat of a parked vehicle in the 6800 block of North Ridge about 11:50 p.m., according to police and the medical examiner's office.

Salgado had been shot in the chest and back, and was pronounced dead at the scene. He lived in the 6400 block of North Damen.

An autopsy found he died of a gunshot wound to the chest.

Martell Howard | Homicide Watch Chicago

Mother trying to help in the hunt for her son's killer, while still grieving and raising her grandchildren

WEEK IN REVIEW: Eight people were fatally shot, and one was stabbed to death in Chicago violence