A handgun was discovered inside a vehicle in the parking lot of Antioch High School on Tuesday morning.
According to police, the gun was discovered during a routine canine scent search of vehicles.
When it was discovered, the student, a 21-year-old man in an alternative schooling program, was arrested.
“I would like to recognize District 117 on its commitment to ensuring the safety of students at our high school,” said Antioch Police Chief Geoffrey Guttschow.
The investigation is still ongoing, and no potential charges have been announced at this time.
Demea Morris’ family stated that she and her siblings were attempting to flee an attempted robbery when they were shot at.
Demea’s family said the 15-year-old was ambitious and trying to make her way in the world.
“She was in the middle of nursing school, a 15-year-old girl. Most of them don’t really care about much. She was building her future,” said Toni Turner, Demea’s aunt. “She loved dancing, laughing, playing, cracking jokes. She loved excelling.”
But her future was snatched away in an Easter morning tragedy. Morris was shot in the head in the backseat of an SUV near 106th and Sangamon in the Washington Heights neighborhood on Sunday morning, according to Chicago police.
Morris’ family said she was in the SUV with her siblings, who witnessed the entire incident after surviving another terrifying situation prior to the shooting.
“They were in the middle of being robbed, and got away from the people who were trying to rob them, and they shot after them,” Turner said. “In the midst of pulling off of getting away from avoiding getting robbed they started getting shot at and they tried to go to the hospital while on the phone with police and they (police) pulled them over because they were able to track them down.”
Morris’ family paid tribute to her life in Jackie Robinson Park on Monday night.
“You took a lovely person, you understand. She was very smart, very intelligent and very witty,” Turner said. “For some bum to want to be greedy, and take something from somebody? You took more than what you could even imagine.”
Their cries for a lost life were as audible as their cries for justice.
“Say something. A parent-parents are suffering. Siblings are suffering,” Turner said.
The family, in collaboration with the Andrew Holmes Foundation and All Kids Matter, is offering a $13,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
“What you did and the decision you made was wrong. This wasn’t a mistaken identity. This was first degree murder,” said community activist Andrew Holmes.
According to the head of the Chicago police union, the majority of members “does not want to work for Brandon Johnson as mayor,” and as many as 1,000 officers could leave the force.
According to John Catanzara, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge 7, union members’ morale is “in the basement,” and the mayoral election only increased members’ concerns.
“There was a lot of the membership waiting to see what would happen last night, and there is a lot of somber reality for members to choose between: do they stay or do they go?” Wednesday, he stated.
“And if several hundred of them leave within the next sixty days, I will not be the least bit surprised.”
Paul Vallas was nominated for mayor by the Fraternal Order of Police. As a former city budget director and schools chief, Vallas was seen as a more conservative candidate who had run on a law-and-order platform.
Johnson has attempted to distance himself from his previous statements in support of the defund-the-police movement.
Catanzara, president of the FOP, declares, “We shall see where this goes.” I’m willing to talk.”
Catanzara stated that he hopes to have a better relationship with Johnson than he did with Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who has had public disagreements with officials from the union.
Catanzara stated, “I hope he has a little thicker skin.” He shouldn’t have applied for this position if he can’t handle criticism. However, it is absurd to believe that we will get along and become the best of friends.
A man was pistol whipped outside Martyrs’ bar in North Center early Sunday morning, according to Chicago police.
Police said a 22-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were outside the bar after working a concert at the space in the 1900-block of West Byron when four men got out of a dark colored sedan and flashed guns.
According to police, the armed men demanded the victims’ property and handed it over. During the robbery, the man was “struck about the head” with a gun, according to police. The woman was unharmed.
The suspects took off in their vehicle. According to police, the man refused medical treatment at the scene.
Martyrs management confirmed the incident and expressed gratitude that “the two victims were not seriously injured,” but declined to comment further.
There is currently no one in custody. Chicago police are conducting an investigation.
His stepmother stated that he was overjoyed to be celebrating this weekend. A birthday party was planned for this Saturday, but sadly, it will now be canceled.
Williams’ family is still coming to terms with the fact that their fun-loving 16-year-old son is no longer with them.
“They took a special kid away. They did,” said Audrey Welch-Williams, the victim’s stepmother. “It tore me up, because I had just spoken with him, and he said, ‘I love you too.’ And I’m like, that was the last thing that I got from him.”
According to Chicago police, around 11 p.m. on Friday, Williams was walking on the sidewalk in the 2100 block of West Randolph Street when someone wearing dark clothing began shooting at him. Williams was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died shortly afterwards.
“He had a lot of people and mentors that were in his life. So, it wasn’t like he strayed away. He was just at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Welch-Williams said.
His stepmother described him as a playful and sometimes shy child from a loving family. Williams also excelled in football and basketball at Crane Medical Prep High School on Chicago’s Near West Side.
He was only a sophomore, but he was already an important member of both varsity teams.
“We had anticipations for him going to prom, and maybe probably even getting drafted from somewhere, because he was totally varsity, and he did both sports and he did them well,” Welch-Williams said.
Those hopes were dashed as the happy times they shared became memories.
“I want everybody to know that he was a beautiful kid. And what happened, he didn’t deserve it,” Welch-Williams said.
As of now, no one is in custody, according to Chicago police, as detectives continue their investigation.
Jermaine Pelt, a Chicago firefighter, died Tuesday morning after an extra-alarm fire in the West Pullman neighborhood.
According to the fire department, the fire started around 3:30 a.m. near 120th and Wallace streets.
The fire is thought to have started in a home’s attic and spread to two adjacent homes. The structure where the fire began appeared to have a partial roof collapse.
Firefighter Pelt was working a hose line when conditions worsened and all firefighters were ordered out, according to Chicago Fire Commissioner Annette Nance Holt.
Pelt was taken to Advocate Christ Hospital, where he died later that day. Two more firefighters were taken to the hospital in stable condition.
“Jermaine is our family and when we lose one of our members, it takes a toll on us and people just don’t know what firefighters and paramedics go through daily when they respond to these calls not knowing if they will come home the next day,” Commissioner Nance Holt said.
Pelt, 49, has worked for CFD since 2005. He has two children, one of whom he recently walked down the aisle for her wedding. He is also the father of a six-year-old child.
According to the Chicago Fire Department, one firefighter was taken to Advocate Christ Hospital in critical condition and died later. Two more people were transported in critical condition.
The fire broke out shortly after 5 a.m. According to the CFD, the fire has displaced two adults and two children.
Lori Lightfoot, the mayor, issued a statement on Twitter, saying, “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jermaine Pelt, an 18-year veteran of the CFD, who died in the line of duty early this morning. Following this tragic incident, my heartfelt condolences go out to his family, fellow CFD colleagues, and Engine 75 brothers and sisters.
“It takes a special form of bravery to work as a first responder, to rise to meet different disasters and dangerous situations on a daily basis. Jermaine put his life on the line to answer this call, a selfless act of bravery and dedication to the residents of this city.
“Our city mourns this tragic loss today, and is here to uplift all who loved Jermaine with our prayers and support.”
According to police, at least 21 people were shot over the weekend in Chicago, with four fatalities.
On Saturday, a would-be robber was shot while attempting to rob an O’Reilly Auto Parts store. According to police, a man entered the store near 91st and Stony Island, brandished a gun, and demanded cash. The suspect was then shot by the store manager, who police say is a valid FOID card holder. The suspect was taken to the University of Calgary Hospital in critical condition. He was later declared dead. Detectives from Area Two are currently investigating.
A man was found shot to death in Lawndale just hours before. Officers received a report of shots fired in the 3900 block of West Flournoy Street, according to Chicago police. When they arrived, they discovered a 32-year-old man unconscious on the ground around 1:10 a.m. He was shot in the back of the head and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police. There was no one in custody.
Another man was killed in a shooting near the United Center on the Near West Side on Friday night. According to Chicago police, the man, whose age was unknown, was on the sidewalk in the 2100 block of West Randolph Street when someone wearing dark clothing approached him and opened fire around 11 p.m. He was shot in the chest and taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died, according to police. There was no one in custody.
A 14-year-old girl was critically injured when shots fired on the street struck her inside her home on Chicago’s Far South Side, according to police. The shooting occurred shortly before 1:30 a.m. According to police, the incident occurred Saturday in the 12600 block of South Lowe Avenue in the West Pullman neighborhood. According to police, the girl felt pain immediately after hearing the shots. She had two bullet wounds in her thigh. No one is in custody, and Area Two detectives are looking into it.
A man was also injured in a shooting in Albany Park on Chicago’s Northwest Side on Sunday morning. Officers discovered the man, 24, with gunshot wounds to his lower back in the 2800 block of West Wilson Avenue around 6:15 a.m., according to Chicago police. According to police, he was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center and was in fair condition. Officials said the injured man and two others were taken into custody. Detectives were looking into the incident’s circumstances.
This report was assisted by the Sun-Times Media Wire.
According to police, at least 14 people were shot over the weekend, three of whom died.
On Saturday, a would-be robber was shot while attempting to rob an O’Reilly Auto Parts store. According to police, a man entered the store near 91st and Stony Island, brandished a gun, and demanded cash. The suspect was then shot by the store manager, who police say is a valid FOID card holder. The suspect was taken to the University of Calgary Hospital in critical condition. He was later declared dead. Detectives from Area Two are currently investigating.
A man was found shot to death in Lawndale just hours before. Officers received a report of shots fired in the 3900 block of West Flournoy Street, according to Chicago police. When they arrived, they discovered a 32-year-old man unconscious on the ground around 1:10 a.m. He was shot in the back of the head and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police. There was no one in custody.
Another man was killed in a shooting near the United Center on the Near West Side on Friday night. According to Chicago police, the man, whose age was unknown, was on the sidewalk in the 2100 block of West Randolph Street when someone wearing dark clothing approached him and opened fire around 11 p.m. He was shot in the chest and taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died, according to police. There was no one in custody.
A 14-year-old girl was critically injured when shots fired on the street struck her inside her home on Chicago’s Far South Side, according to police. The shooting occurred shortly before 1:30 a.m. According to police, the incident occurred Saturday in the 12600 block of South Lowe Avenue in the West Pullman neighborhood. According to police, the girl felt pain immediately after hearing the shots. She had two bullet wounds in her thigh. No one is in custody, and Area Two detectives are looking into it.
A man was also injured in a shooting in Albany Park on Chicago’s Northwest Side on Sunday morning. Officers discovered the man, 24, with gunshot wounds to his lower back in the 2800 block of West Wilson Avenue around 6:15 a.m., according to Chicago police. According to police, he was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center and was in fair condition. Officials said the injured man and two others were taken into custody. Detectives were looking into the incident’s circumstances.
This report was assisted by the Sun-Times Media Wire.
A jury awarded nearly $5 million to the family of an 84-year-old woman killed in 2019 when a speeding Chicago police cruiser collided with her car while responding to a call in the Austin neighborhood.
According to attorney Andrew M. Stroth, jurors took about four hours on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning before awarding a $4.93 million judgment against the city on behalf of retired teacher Verona Gunn.
“Nothing will bring Verona Gunn back, but to me the verdict shows the jury followed their oath and held the city of Chicago accountable for this tragic crash,” Stroth said.
A city Law Department spokeswoman declined to comment. The city attorneys had admitted liability for the crash, leaving the amount of damages for Gunn’s family to be determined by the jury.
Video of the high-speed, multi-vehicle collision that killed Verona Gunn was used as key evidence in a two-day civil trial at the Daley Center, which also included testimony from Gunn’s daughter and granddaughter.
Gunn was sitting in the backseat of her daughter’s Nissan, next to her 9-year-old granddaughter, when the car came to a halt at the intersection of West Division Street and North Laramie as police vehicles raced by on their way to a call of an officer in need of assistance.
CPD Officer Patrick Brown was driving a police van west on Division when it ran a red light and collided with a CPD SUV heading north on Laramie. The impact slammed the SUV into the front of the Gunns’ vehicle. According to police, ten CPD officers were injured during the chase.
Officer Brown was fired by CPD Supt. David Brown last year, and he has been suspended without pay while his case is before the Police Board.
Gunn, a 20-year elementary school teacher, suffered traumatic injuries in the crash, but she clung to life for several hours at the hospital, according to Stroth. Stroth stated that her daughter and granddaughter, who lived with Gunn, gave emotional testimony about the terror of the crash and the pain of losing Gunn.
“This case is about the sanctity of every life, and we fought to convey to the jury that every life matters, regardless of age. We are pleased that the jurors felt a person’s worth was not devalued as they age or because of any mental health or medical condition. … Verona Gunn’s life mattered,” attorney Antonio Romanucci said in a statement.
Although jurors did not hear them, police dispatch recordings revealed that Brown and other officers were repeatedly told to slow down. Dwight Gunn, Gunn’s son, said in a statement that the city treated the lawsuit with “disrespect.”
“Today we have come to the end of this portion of our fight for accountability and justice,” Dwight Gunn said. “While the City has taken some responsibility, we hope for the next step of policy change and reform that improve policing in our community.”
(Sun-Times Media Wire – Copyright 2023 Chicago Sun-Times.)
The family of a Chicago woman killed in a police chase has demanded answers and action from the city.
Verona Gunn, 84, was murdered in May 2019. Surveillance video showed a police cruiser and an unmarked police car colliding on the West Side and then colliding with the vehicle in which Gunn was riding.
Family members said they filed a lawsuit against the city and the officers involved, but have received no response.
ABC7 has reached out to the city for a response to Monday’s news conference but has yet to receive a response.
According to Chicago police, one person was killed and five others were injured in a crash involving at least four vehicles in the Ashburn neighborhood on Wednesday night.
According to police, the crash happened around 9:15 p.m. in the 3600-block of West Columbus Avenue.
A black Nissan was driving north on Columbus when it collided with a Mazda in the intersection at 83rd Street, according to police. According to investigators, the Nissan was attempting to make a left turn.
According to police, a third vehicle was also involved in the crash after being rear-ended by the Nissan. According to police, a fourth vehicle traveling southbound then collided with the vehicles.
Two men in the Mazda were transported in critical condition to Advocate Christ Hospital, where one of them later died.
The driver of the Nissan was taken to Advocate Christ Hospital in critical condition.
Two women in the third vehicle received minor injuries and were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition. According to police, the driver of the fourth vehicle suffered minor injuries and was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital in good condition.
According to police, at least four Chicago 7-Eleven stores were targeted in armed robberies early Wednesday morning.
Police have not stated whether any of the robberies are linked.
At about 1:10 a.m., the first robbery was reported in the 900 block of West Monroe Street. According to police, two male suspects armed with handguns entered the 7-Eleven, announced a robbery, and stole cash from two cash registers.
According to police, the suspects also stole the keys to a customer’s 2017 black Jeep Cherokee, which they then fled in.
Another store in the 500 block of West Grenshaw Street was robbed around 1:45 a.m., according to police.
According to police, two male suspects armed with handguns entered the store and stole money from two cash registers. They then fled in a black SUV, according to police.
At about 3:11 a.m., police reported a third 7-Eleven robbery in the 2700 block of West Touhy Avenue.
According to police, two male suspects entered the store armed with handguns and stole money from two registers. They then fled on foot, and it is unknown if they got into a vehicle, according to police.
The fourth robbery happened around 3:15 a.m. in the 6800 block of North Western Avenue.
According to police, two male suspects entered the convenience store armed with handguns and stole cash from two registers. They then fled in a black SUV, according to police.
No one has been arrested in connection with any of the robberies, and no injuries have been reported. Area Three detectives are looking into the matter.
Just two days ago, Chicago police issued a business alert warning of four similar overnight robberies at 7-Eleven, most of which occurred on the city’s North Side.
In one of those robberies, police said a suspect jumped out of a vehicle and pointed a black and gray 9mm gun with a blue laser attachment.
The four robberies in the police alert occurred in:
-6800 West North Ave. at 02:42 a.m.
-1153 West Belmont Ave. at 3:37 a.m.
-2341 West Belmont Ave. at 3:50 a.m.
-2366 North Damen Ave. at 4:00 a.m.
Police said the suspects in each of the four robberies listed in the alert were seen in a black SUV.
Two men were killed and another was critically injured in a Monday evening crash on the Stevenson Expressway, Chicago fire officials said.
@ 2005 Stevenson Expy IB / Cicero 1 car accident; vehicle previously on I-55 flipped over embankment ejecting 3 patients (1 red, 2 DOA) M 42 multiple injuries, trauma to Sinai Critical condition M 26 DOA to St. Anthony M 30 DOA on scene with CPD & ISP as part of crime scene.
According to fire officials, the crash occurred on Interstate 55 inbound near Cicero Avenue on the city’s Southwest Side. A van previously on I-55 flipped over an embankment, ejecting three people.
Two men, 26 and 30 years old, were found dead on the scene, fire officials said. In critical condition, a 42-year-old man was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital.
One of the victims was identified to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as Victor Gordian, 26, of Chicago.
Authorities did not immediately provide further information about the crash.
After being charged with running a “erotic massage” business from his apartment, a Chicago firefighter is expected to be placed on leave.
Brendan Kennedy-Gasior, 37, is charged with felony promoting prostitution and was released from custody on Friday after posting a $500 bond set by Cook County Judge Kelly McCarthy, according to court records.
According to his arrest report, Kennedy-Gasior, of the North Park neighborhood, was arrested Thursday morning.
“These are very serious allegations that do not reflect the standards of conduct expected of our members,” said Larry Langford, a spokesman for the fire department.
According to police records, the fire department’s Internal Affairs Division initially notified the police department’s Human Trafficking Team of the allegations in 2020.
According to the report, Kennedy-Gasior was identified to police by a 23-year-old woman who claimed he told her to set her prices for erotic massage at $150 for a half-hour and $200 for an hour-long session.
According to the woman, she performed up to 50 massage sessions at his home.
According to the report, Kennedy-Gasior received half of the proceeds when she performed sexual acts. The alleged acts occurred at Kennedy-apartment Gasior’s while he was at home.
According to police, Kennedy-Gasior advertised erotic massage services on adult websites, and men interested in the services would call a phone number and be directed to Kennedy-home, Gasior’s which was less than 1,000 feet from a school.
On Saturday, neither Kennedy-Gasior nor his attorney could be reached for comment.
Langford stated that Kennedy-Gasior joined the department in 2019 as an engineer and operates a fire engine.
When Kennedy-Gasior was arrested, he was on medical leave, according to Langford. He is scheduled to return to work next week and will be placed on paid administrative leave while the case is being investigated.
“The accused is currently on active duty leave. CFD will continue to provide assistance to CPD in this investigation “Langford explained.
Kennedy-Gasior is scheduled to appear in court again on April 14.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire – Copyright Chicago Sun-Times 2023.)
Chicagoans may before long have the option to fly over air terminal traffic on their way downtown.
According to a joint press release from Archer Aviation Inc. and United Airlines, the first commercial electric air taxi route will start in Chicago in two years.
On Thursday, Archer and United made the announcement that they would be launching a commercial electric air taxi service. They said that Chicago was chosen because it was “the third most populous city in the United States, a center for business, innovation, and investment, and home to United’s headquarters.” Because of this, it is a one-of-a-kind city for Archer and United to develop.
According to the press release, Archer’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will travel from O’Hare International Airport to Vertiport Chicago, the largest facility in North America for vertical aircraft takeoff and landing, which is in the Illinois Medical District near the Chicago Loop.
Six battery packs provide power, and the vehicle has a top speed of 150 mph. There is room for one pilot, four passengers, and luggage in the aircraft. In normal traffic, the journey from O’Hare to downtown Chicago can take more than an hour, and it can take even longer during rush hour.
Bryan Benhard, Archer’s chief growth and infrastructure officer, stated, “This is definitely the transportation of the future… it is safe, sustainable, affordable, and quiet.” Instead of driving an hour to an hour and a half from downtown to O’Hare in ten minutes for the price of an Uber, people will take this aircraft.
According to the press release from Archer, trips will be available for between $100 and $150 through a mobile app.
In 2025, the service is expected to go live. Simultaneously, an enormous development project on Chicago’s fundamental interstate that interfaces the city’s midtown region to ORD is supposed to make traffic bad dreams.
According to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, “This exciting new technology will further decarbonize our means of transportation, taking us another step forward in our fight against climate change.” I’m happy that Chicagoans will be among the first in the country to use this innovative and convenient mode of transportation.
Archer won’t just make a stop in Chicago. The creator of the e-taxi wants to bring the program to other major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and New York City.
A man was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Chicago’s West Side on Saturday morning, according to police.
The collision occurred at the intersection of West Washington Boulevard and North Green Street in the Greektown neighborhood around 1:06 a.m., according to police.
A witness reported seeing a black Mercedes run a stop sign and collide with a 25-year-old man crossing the street. The Mercedes drove east on Washington Boulevard.
According to police, the victim suffered blunt force trauma to the entire body and was taken in critical condition to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police are looking for a four-door Mercedes-Benz sedan from 2006 to 2010, which may be missing the passenger sideview mirror and may have some front-end damage.
Major Accidents was on the scene looking into the incident. There is no one detained.
Police did not immediately release any additional information about the crash.
Officers arrived to find two vehicles involved in the crash. According to police, a red sedan traveling northbound on 83rd Street collided with a vehicle traveling eastbound on the same street.
According to police, the striking vehicle was later identified as stolen. The three male juveniles inside the vehicle were apprehended and taken to Comer Children’s Hospital and St. Bernard Hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries.
A 78-year-old woman died Tuesday night in a crash on Chicago’s Northwest Side that injured six others, including children.
The accident happened around 7:52 p.m. in the 3400 block of West Peterson Avenue.
According to police, a 46-year-old man was driving east on Peterson Avenue with five passengers when his vehicle was struck in the intersection by an 18-year-old in a sedan.
The 78-year-old passenger was taken to St. Francis Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. She has been identified as Zainab Suboh.
Both drivers were taken to the hospital in fair condition, but a 36-year-old woman and an 81-year-old man were taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Two children, a three-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl, were transported in fair condition to Lurie Children’s Hospital.
The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, according to police.
According to a relative of some of the victims, the family was traveling from Indiana to visit other family members for dinner.
The crash is being investigated by the Chicago Police Major Accidents Unit.
According to fire officials, a school bus struck a girl in north suburban Skokie on Monday afternoon.
Skokie fire Battalion Chief Gabe Millard said the girl was attempting to cross the street near Dempster and Karlov Avenue when a small school bus from a nearby school struck her.
She was taken to a nearby hospital by ambulance, but her condition was not immediately known.
The front of the bus had visible damage, and paramedics could be seen at the scene with the girl on the ground.
