Shaquon Thomas | Homicide Watch Chicago

Germel Dossie now charged with murder for allegedly shooting Clifton Frye over Facebook posts

Jeff Mayes — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 15:55:04 -0500

By RUMMANA HUSSAIN
Chicago Sun-Times

The teenager accused of shooting Clifton Frye over disparaging Facebook comments about slain rapper Young Pappy is now facing a murder charge after Frye died last week.

The rapper, whose real name was Shaquon Thomas, was shot early May 29 in Uptown. Four days later, 17-year-old Germel Dossie allegedly shot Frye over remarks he made about the rapper on Facebook, Cook County prosecutors said at Dossie’s initial bond hearing.

Frye, of the 1400 block of West Farwell, was pronounced dead on June 18 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to the medical examiner’s office. He had been pronounced brain dead, but was still technically alive, four days earlier.

In court Tuesday, Judge James Brown ordered Dossie held without bond on an upgraded charge of first-degree murder. He was already being held on a $1 million bond for attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm charges.

Assistant State’s Attorney Akash Vyas didn’t say when or what the 22-year-old Frye had written on Facebook.

But Dossie asked a friend to drive to the Rogers Park neighborhood as an apparent getaway driver on the afternoon of June 1. Dossie accosted Frye while he was walking in the 7600 block on North Ashland Avenue, authorities said.

Dossie’s friend, who had parked near an alley, heard three to four shots and then saw Dossie jump back into the car with a gun following the shooting, Vyas said.

Dossie demanded that his friend drive away and asked to be dropped off near Glenwood and Pratt, Vyas said.

Surveillance video captured an armed Dossie running from an alley towards Frye and firing, Vyas said. The footage also caught the license plate of the car Dossie was in.

Dossie was arrested after police officers saw him get out of an Albany Park apartment and into a car. They followed and arrested him in the 3900 block of West Montrose Avenue.

Dossie is a sophomore at Truman High School, Assistant Public Defender Sandra Bennewitz said in court.

He is also a member of the Insane Cutthroat Gangsters, a faction of the Gangster Disciples, according to his arrest report.

Young Pappy was not signed to a record label, but his song “Killa” and “Fanteo Freestyle,” had thousands of views on YouTube.

The 19-year-old had previously been the intended target in at least two shootings that left bystanders dead before he was killed.

— Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Sun-Times Wire

Clifton Frye dies weeks after being shot over Facebook comments about slain rapper Young Pappy

Jeff Mayes — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 10:39:00 -0500

Clifton Frye died Thursday of gunshot wounds that prosecutors claim he suffered nearly three weeks ago at the hand of a teenager, upset by Frye’s disparaging Facebook comments about recently slain rapper Young Pappy.

The rapper, whose real name is Shaquon Thomas, was shot early May 29 in Uptown. Four days later, 17-year-old Germel Dossie allegedly shot Frye over remarks he made about the rapper on Facebook, Cook County prosecutors said at a bond hearing for Dossie last week.

Frye, of the 1400 block of West Farwell, was pronounced dead Thursday afternoon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to the medical examiner’s office. He had been pronounced brain dead on June 14, but was still technically alive.

Assistant State’s Attorney Akash Vyas didn’t say when or what 22-year-old Frye had written on Facebook.

But Dossie asked his friend to drive to the Rogers Park neighborhood as an apparent getaway driver on the afternoon of June 1. Dossie accosted Frye while he was walking in the 7600 block on North Ashland Avenue, authorities said.

Dossie’s friend, who had parked near an alley, heard three to four shots, then saw Dossie jump back into the car with a gun, Vyas said.

Dossie demanded that his friend drive away and asked to be dropped off near Glenwood and Pratt, Vyas said.

Surveillance video captured an armed Dossie running from an alley towards Frye and shooting, Vyas said. The footage also caught the license plate of the car he was in.

Dossie was arrested Tuesday after police saw him get out of an Albany Park apartment and into a car. They followed and arrested him in the 3900 block of West Montrose.

Dossie is a sophomore at Truman High School, Assistant Public Defender Sandra Bennewitz said in court. He is also a member of the Insane Cutthroat Gangsters, a faction of the Gangster Disciples, according to his arrest report.

Judge Donald Panarese Jr. ordered Dossie held on $1 million bond last week on attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm charges.

Young Pappy was not signed to a record label, but his songs “Killa” and “Fanteo Freestyle,” had thousands of views on YouTube.

The 19-year-old had previously been the intended target in at least two shootings that left bystanders dead before he was killed on May 29.

—Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Sun-Times Wire

WEEK IN REVIEW: 14 killed in Chicago violence

Michael Lansu — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 08:19:40 -0500

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago

At least 14 people were killed throughout Chicago last week.

Seven of the killings happened over the weekend, when at least 24 other people were wounded by gunfire.

The most recent killings happened minutes apart on the West Side.

A 53-year-old man was fatally shot in the 4900 block of West Lake Street in the Austin community about 7:10 p.m. Sunday, police said. The Cook County medical examiner's office has not yet released his name.

Less than five minutes later, a 27-year-old man was shot while standing on a sidewalk in the 100 block of North Cicero Avenue in Austin, police said. The medical examiner's office has not yet released his name.

In the Chatham neighborhood, a 25-year-old man was standing in the 0 – 50 block of East 88th Street when a white van pulled up and a gunman inside opened fire about 12:15 p.m., police said.

The man, who has not yet been identified, was shot three times and died less than an hour later at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, authorities said.

On Saturday, 25-year-old Kevin O'Malley was shot in the chest during a cellphone robbery in the 900 block of West Oakdale Avenue in Lake View about 2 a.m., authorities said.

Kristopher Pitts, 22, of the 1100 block of North Central Park Avenue, was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm for the shooting, police said. He was ordered held without bond Sunday.

In the South Shore community, 19-year-old Demetrius P. Hill Jr. was shot in the head in the hallway of a building in the 6800 block of South Ridgeland Avenue about 1:25 a.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Hill, of the 7100 block of South Constance Avenue, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he later died, according to the medical examiner’s office.

In Pilsen, 43-year-old Rudy Avina was sitting at Simone’s Bar, a popular spot in the 900 block of West 18th Street, when Ulises Almaraz walked up behind him and slit his throat about 12:30 a.m. Saturday, authorities said. Avina, who lived blocks way, was dead at the scene.

Almaraz, of west suburban Berwyn, was ordered held without bond Sunday.

In Little Village, 24-year-old Jose Velasquez was shot in the back in the 2100 block of South Fairfield Avenue about 12:05 a.m. Saturday, authorities said.

Velasquez, of the 2800 block of West 21st Street, died at Mount Sinai Hospital at 1:41 a.m., according to the medical examiner’s office.

On Friday, 19-year-old Shaquon Thomas was in the 4800 block of North Kenmore Avenue when gunfire erupted about 1:35 a.m., authorities said.

Thomas, who rapped under the name Young Pappy, died at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center less than an hour later, authorities said.

On Thursday, 52-year-old John L. Rainey got into a fight with another man about 11 p.m. in the 300 block of North Menard Avenue in Austin and collapsed afterwards, authorities said.

Rainey, who lived on the block, died at the scene, according to the medical examiner’s office.

An autopsy determined Rainey died a “sudden death following scuffle” caused by hypertensive and heart disease. Diabetes was also listed as a contributing factor, according to the medical examiner’s office, which ruled the death a homicide.

In West Elsdon, emergency crews found 22-year-old Carlos Herrera and 49-year-old Maria Herrera inside their burning home in the 3600 block of West 55th Place about 2:50 p.m., authorities said.

Prosecutors said 20-year-old Jose Guzman stabbed his aunt and cousin “because he wanted to steal their gold.” Guzman, who was found hiding in a closet at his home in the 3800 block of West 55th Place, was ordered held without bond.

On Monday, 17-year-old Ronnie Shaw Jr. was walking in the 4900 block of West Erie Street in Austin when a gunman confronted him and shot him as he tried to run away about 7:50 p.m., authorities said.

Shaw, of the 4900 block of West Ferdinand Street, died at Mount Sinai Hospital less than an hour later, according to the medical examiner’s office.

In the Bronzeville neighborhood, 19-year-old Robert Richmond was in a vehicle in the 0-100 block of East 36th Place when a gunman in a passing vehicle opened fire about 5:25 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

Richmond, of the 6100 block of South King Drive, was shot in the back and a family member took him to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, where he was declared dead at about two hours later, authorities said.

The shooting happened less than a block from Perspectives/IIT Math and Science Academy at 3663 S. Wabash Ave. and about a block south of Chicago Police Headquarters at 3500 S. Michigan Ave.

The killing started when 29-year-old Felix Diaz was shot while sitting in a vehicle in the 4100 block of North Hamlin Avenue in the Irving Park community about 2:30 p.m. Monday, authorities said.

Diaz, of the 3300 block of West Belle Plaine Avenue, died at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center about two hours later, authorities said.

Additionally, 33-year-old Kristopher Claybon died Saturday after being shot while sitting in a vehicle parked outside his home in the 5700 block of South Hermitage Avenue about 4:45 p.m. Feb. 16, authorities said. Claybon's death was ruled a homicide.

In 2015, the medical examiner’s office has ruled at least 170 Chicago deaths a homicide, including one person fatally shot by police.

Rapper Young Pappy shot to death in Uptown

Michael Lansu — Fri, 29 May 2015 12:45:49 -0500

Shaquon Thomas / Photo from YouTube

BY MICHAEL LANSU
Homicide Watch Chicago

Chicago rapper Young Pappy, who had previously been the intended target in at least two shootings that left bystanders dead, was himself fatally shot early Friday in the Uptown neighborhood.

Shaquon Thomas, 19, was in the 4800 block of North Kenmore Avenue when gunfire erupted about 1:35 a.m., authorities said. Witnesses reported seeing a black car that may have been associated with the shooting, according to a statement from Ald. Harry Osterman (48th Ward).

The shooting happened across the street from St. Thomas of Canterbury Catholic church.

Paramedics took Thomas to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was declared dead at 2:04 a.m., authorities said.

Uptown resident Kristin Johnson said it is not unusual to hear gunshots in the neighborhood.

"I heard about 10 gunshots and went to the window to peek out, but I didn't see anything," Johnson said.

Johnson, 34, said she initially used to wonder if the loud noises in the neighborhood were gunshots or fireworks, but she has since become desensitized to them.

"I used to feel more safe [in Uptown] ... but I'm a mom now," Johnson said while holding her young child. "It's different when its just you."

Osterman said he has requested "additional security in our area to curb the possibility of retaliatory actions."

Thomas rapped under the moniker Young Pappy. The up-and-coming musician was not signed to a record label, but his song "Killa" has more than 250,000 views on YouTube. Another song, "Fanteo Freestyle," has nearly 225,000 views.

As word of the rapper's death spread, fans, including Cliff Alexander, a standout basketball player at Curie Metropolitan High School and the University of Kansas, took to social media to express their condolences:

The rapper was born on the North Side and makes music because "it puts him in a positive mood," according to his Facebook page.

Authorities listed Thomas' home address as the 6300 block of North Lakewood Avenue, but a resident at the building said he only occasionally stayed there with his father, who recently moved out.

Thomas' family could not be reached for comment.

"He was always happy, he always had everybody positive around him, always had a smile on his face," according to a friend, who is not being identified because he is a juvenile. "He was just happy all the time, hanging out with his friends. He was always cracking jokes."

According to the rapper's Facebook page, he hoped to use music to support his family and the family of a friend killed in street violence.

"He expressed all his feelings in his music, that's how he expressed himself," according to the friend. "That's how he let everything out basically."

Prior to his death, the rapper posted on his Facebook page: "All he wanted me to do was make it. He campaigned my music the hardest out of anybody I knew. I love bro and I'm gonna do this for him cause this what he wanted."

Thomas himself was no stranger to street violence and run-ins with the law.

In 2013, Thomas was sentenced to one year in prison for felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, according to court records. He was given credit for time served.

He also has numerous misdemeanor arrests, mostly recently a May 13 disorderly conduct and possession of cannabis charge, according to court records. According to DNAinfo Chicago, that charge came from a record release party that led to a five-hour police standoff and 31 people arrested.

Thomas had twice been the target in shootings that instead killed innocent bystanders William Lewis and Markeyo Carr, according to authorities and DNAinfo Chicago.

Police Tape where Shaquon Thomas was fatally shot.

Osterman confirmed that Thomas "had been a target in other gang-related shootings in Edgewater and Rogers Park."

Lewis, 28, was standing in the 1300 block of West Devon Avenue when a gunman walked up and shot him in the back about 3:20 p.m. July 12, authorities said.

Lewis escaped poverty in Guatemala when he was adopted at age 7. Loving parents raised him in Wisconsin, where he found his two passions: photography and the woman who would become his wife.

He attended art school in Milwaukee and moved to Chicago two years ago. Lewis and his wife moved into an apartment in the 4700 block of North Hermitage Avenue just two weeks before his death, according to a friend.

Prosecutors claim 31-year-old Conservative Vice Lord Eric Vaughn spotted a rival gang member, handed 15-year-old Denzel Burke a gun and Burke and 17-year-old Michael Phillips chased their rival through Rogers Park.

Burke fired 10 times, missing the rival but striking Lewis in the back as he stood at a nearby bus stop, prosecutors said.

On Feb. 5, 2014, a masked gunman fatally shot Carr, 17, and wounded three others in a McDonald’s parking lot in the 6700 block of North Clark Street.

The victims had been in an argument with another group of people shortly before the masked gunman approached, police said.

Jaunita Carr-Clay, Carr’s aunt, said her nephew loved to rap.

“He made little videos at home on his own,” she said. “He was very talented. He rapped about everyday life, reality.”

She said Carr, who attended a nearby high school, had just come from his mother’s house around the corner. “She’d given him a few dollars to get something to eat.”

Nobody has been charged for Carr's death.

A police spokeswoman declined to confirm Thomas' role in the deaths of Lewis and Carr, citing "an open and on-going investigation."

-- Contributing: Matt McCall

-- Network Video Productions