Martellis Griffis | Homicide Watch Chicago

NW Indiana man charged with 2013 slayings of Martellis Griffis and William Aikens in Roseland

Jeff Mayes — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 09:40:05 -0500

By LEEANN SHELTON
Chicago Sun-Times Wire

Rickey Winfield | Chicago Police

A northwest Indiana man wanted in connection with the 2013 slayings of Martellis Griffis and William Aikens in the Far South Side Roseland neighborhood has been arrested.

Rickey Winfield, 22, is charged with murder in connection with the Oct. 16, 2013, shooting in the 10500 block of South Lafayette, according to Chicago Police and court records.

The shooting killed Griffis, 22, outside his home about 3:20 p.m., police said at the time. He died at the scene.

Authorities said the 18-year-old Aikens, of the 1700 block of North Lotus, was also wounded in the shooting. Aikens ran to a vacant lot in the 10500 block of South Perry Street, where he collapsed and died.

A warrant for Winfield’s arrest carrying a $1 million bond was issued in May, court records show. At a hearing Sunday, Judge Donald Panarese Jr. ordered that bond amount would stand.

Winfield, of the 3400 block of East Guthrie in East Chicago, Ind., is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing Aug. 21, according to court records.

UPDATE: William Aikens, Martellis Griffis shot dead in Roseland

Michael Lansu — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 08:41:37 -0500

William Aiken / Photo from DNAInfo.com/chicago

Two men were shot dead in the Roseland neighborhood Wednesday afternoon on the South Side.

William Aikens, 28, and Martellis Griffis, 22, were shot to death outside in the 10500 block of South Lafayette Avenue about 3:20 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.

The men were outside Griffis’ home when shots were fired, authorities said.

Griffis collapsed outside his residence, also in the 10500 block of South Lafayette Avenue, and died on the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Aikens, of the 1700 block of North Lotus Avenue, was shot several times and ran to a vacant lot in the 10500 block of South Perry Street, where he collapsed and died minutes later, according to the medical examiner's office.

Police were releasing few details about the shooting early Thursday, but said both men were believed to have gang affiliations.

Area South detectives are investigating.

-- Sun-Times Media Wire

Martellis Griffis among two shot dead in Roseland

Michael Lansu — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 21:54:16 -0500

Martellis Griffis / Photo from DNAInfo.com/chicago

Two men were shot dead in the Roseland neighborhood Wednesday afternoon on the South Side.

Police found Martellis Griffis, 22, shot to death outside in the 10500 block of South Lafayette Avenue about 3:20 p.m., authorities said.

Nearby, police said they found a 28-year-old man shot dead. Police were releasing few details about the shooting, but said both men were believed to have gang affiliations.

Both men were declared dead at the scene, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office. The older man's identification was not being released late Wednesday because his family had not yet been notified of the death.

Area South detectives are investigating.