5 year old Chicago area boy shot in domestic shooting

A domestic shooting rampage took the life of a 5 year old Illinois boy on his birthday, along with 3 members of his family:

Matthew Meier was celebrating his 5th birthday by spending the night with his grandparents John and Janice Conta in Oak Lawn. What happened next authorities can't explain.

Sometime overnight, Matthew's uncle John Conta Jr. shot all three dead. He also poured gasoline in the basement and lit it, according to police and fire officials.

Autopsies conducted today determined that all of the people died from shotgun wounds. After shooting his family members, Conta Jr. committed suicide by shooting himself in the face, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. 

One of the first firefighters on the scene Wednesday morning entered the garage of the home in the 9800 block of South 51st Avenue as Conta Jr. pulled the trigger of a shotgun and killed himself too, police said. 

“What made him go into this rampage, I don’t know if we’ll ever know that,” said Oak Lawn Police Division Chief Michael Kaufmann. 

Conta Jr. had spent about a year working as a potato farmer in Russia before moving back with his parents a few months, police said. 

“When he came back, he seemed a little different,” Kaufmann said. “His mental state may have changed.”

One teen killed and three others injured in Chicago shooting

17-year old Markeyo Carr (source)

In what may have been a gang-related shooting, a masked gunman opened fire at a McDonald's
parking lot in the Roger's Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.

When the shooting had ended, a 17-year old boy, Markeyo Carr, was shot in the head an killed, a 15-year old girl was shot several times and wounded, and two 18-year old young men were wounded, one in the arm and one in the lower back.

The shooter got away.

From an article:

A short time after dozens of witnesses reported hearing at least six gunshots, the teen lay dead, a sheet covering his body as his mother moaned in grief outside yellow police tape in the 6700 block of North Clark. 

Markeyo Carr, of the 6500 block of North Ashland, was dead at the scene, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office. 

The victims had been in a verbal altercation with another group of people shortly before the masked gunman approached around 3:40 p.m., said Chicago Police Officer Veejay Zala, citing preliminary information. Then the shooter ran off, Zala said. 

A girl, who police said was about 15, was shot several times, and an 18-year-old man, who was shot in the lower back, were taken to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston. Another 18-year-old man, who was shot in the arm, was treated at Weiss Memorial Hospital. 

“Two of the male victims have documented gang affiliations,” Zala said. 

Juanita Carr-Clay said her nephew, Markeyo, 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 Markeyo, 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.” 

Faye McCoy, a retired nurse, was in a storefront across the street when she heard the gunshots. The gunfire ceased, and while rushing to see if she could help, McCoy walked right past the masked gunman. “I didn’t see his face,” she said. 

McCoy, who has lived in the area for more than 13 years, broke down when she saw the slain teen with a bullet wound in the side of his head. “I recognized his face,” said McCoy, who knew Markeyo from working with local youth groups to prevent violence. 

“There was no help for him, he was shot in the temple it looked like, he took his last breath with me standing there . . . Blood was everywhere.” 

McCoy said she didn’t think Markeyo was in a gang, and she lamented the needless death. 

“I have great-grandkids, and it would hurt my heart to see one of them laying out here like that.”

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15-year old Chicago boy shot to death by gang members

A 15-year old boy, Miguel Navarrette, was standing beside a car with his family in it, when an SUV drove up.  The men in the car shouted a gang slogan to him, and when Miguel asked "What?" in response, the men opened fire with a shotgun three times, killing the boy, before driving off and hitting a pedestrian with their SUV.

The two men, Martin Miranda and Andres Guerra, both 19, were eventually captured and charged.

From an article:

Navarette was standing outside a car parked on 30th street near Kedvale Avenue, with two adults and their children in it, when an SUV driven by Guerra drove up, said Steve Campbell, a spokesman for the Cook County state’s attorney’s office. 

Miranda, who was in a rear seat of the SUV on the passenger side, lowered the window and shouted “2-6,” a slogan for the 2-6 street gang, prosecutors said. 

Navarette responded, “What?” Miranda opened the car door and shot Navarette once with a sawed-off shotgun, prosecutors said. Miranda pumped the shotgun and pointed it at the people in the car, then turned back to Navarette, who was lying on the ground, and shot him twice more.

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5 year old Illinois boy in critical condition from gunshot wound

A 5 year old Danville, Illinois boy is in critical condition in a hospital with gunshot injuries. The boy was allegedly shot by another child. From the article:

Danville police are investigating an incident that sent a 5-year-old boy to the hospital with a gunshot wound.

Director of Public Safety Larry Thomason said Sunday that police were called to Presence United Samaritans Medical Center emergency room about 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

“The child was taken to the ER by private vehicle,” he said.  “Hospital staff alerted police.  The 5-year-old had a gunshot to the upper body.”

“According to early investigation the incident took place in an apartment in the Belton Street area,” Thomason said. “It appears that another juvenile male, 10 years of age, was with the 5-year-old and a loaded weapon was being played with.”

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

13-year old Chicago boy shoots and kills 16-year old cousin over an X-Box

16-year old Raymond Galloway (source)

A 13-year old boy had an argument with his 16-year old male cousin, Raymond Galloway, in their apartment in Chicago.  They were arguing about their X-Box game system

After the 16-year old fell asleep, the 13-year old boy got hold of a loaded, unsecured 9 mm handgun and shot the older boy to death.

He later admitted to the shooting.

From an article and news video:

The teen shot his cousin, Raymond Galloway, in the head at around 5:50 a.m. Sunday while Galloway slept in the teen’s bedroom in the 500 block of East 38th Place, according to Chicago police and Cook County prosecutors. 

The 16-year-old was pronounced dead about 90 minutes later at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to authorities. 

The two boys had been arguing earlier about an Xbox, according to a police report. 

A fired 9mm cartridge was found in the teen’s bedroom and a 9mm semi-automatic handgun was recovered in the apartment, said Tandra Simonton, a spokeswoman for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. 

The 13-year-old told police he shot Galloway, she said. Police said the boy’s mother was present when he made that statement. 

The boy was charged as a juvenile with first-degree murder just after midnight Monday. Judge Stuart Katz ordered him held in custody, Simonton said. 

It’s not clear where the boy got the gun. No adults have been charged.

The article doesn't say where the boy got the gun and ammo.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

15 year old Chicago area teen shot in apparent gang incident

A 15 year old was shot outside of his school in what appears to be a gang related incident:

Witnesses said the victim was being chased before he was shot around 2:30 p.m. at Leland and Kimball, which is just across the street from Roosevelt High School, 3436 West Wilson. The suspect yelled a gang slogan before pulling the trigger, witnesses said.

"And then after that, the guy got shot in his leg and fell to the ground, and all I saw was a whole bunch of police start flooding the school," Darius Ortiz, witness, said.

7-year old Chicago boy shot by stray bullet

Seven-year old Tyvion Jackson had just returned from a picnic, in Chicago, and was walking on street while carrying a bicycle, when he was hit by a stray bullet under his arm and shoulder, in what may have been a gang shooting.

Luckily he will survive.  The shooter escaped, but a suspect has been captured.

From an article:

Police said a group standing on a corner down the block from the home in 4200 block of West Fifth Avenue began arguing with someone sitting in a car. Someone from the group pulled out a gun and opened fire. 

McDuffie had just made it in her house when she heard the shots. Tyvion was shot while he was helping his cousin bring her bike up some steps. 

"He just placed his arms up and said he had been shot," she said. "He heard the shots and he felt (the) shot in his arm." 

The gunman fled north. Police say they are questioning a person of interest. 

McDuffie said she became panic-stricken when she couldn't quickly find her cell phone to call 911. "My daughter had to call an ambulance," McDuffie said. 

McDuffie said doctors expect him to make a full recovery. 

Police said the shooting occurred in an area where the Four Corner Hustlers street gang has been embroiled in a conflict with several other gangs as well as feuding internally. .... 

McDuffie said she's lived in her two-story brick house for two years but Sunday night's shooting may have been the final straw. 

"Now he can't come outside," McDuffie said of Tyvion. "We have to move."

Bullets don't know when to stop.

17-year old boy shot and killed by Chicago police

A 17-year old boy in Chicago, named Christian Green, was approached by police.  When he pulled out a gun, he was shot and killed.

From an article:

Shortly after 1 p.m.Thursday afternoon near 57th and State, Chicago police shot and killed 17-year-old Christian Green after police say Green ran from officers who tried to question him. 

Pat Camden is a spokesperson for the police union and says Green was armed.
"Individual at that point gun in hand pointing it at the officer,' Camden said. "The officers fire in defense of their life." 

But Thursday night, Green's brother is disputing the police account. 

"I know for a fact he didn't point no gun at no police," said Travail Fowler. "I know for a fact that's not my brother." 

And neighborhood residents say they believe Green was merely lighting off fireworks. 

"I heard he, they thought it was a gun, but it was a firecracker, like a Roman candle or something. He pulled it out, and police just started shooting," said Keaara Payton. 

"It's got nothing to do with fireworks," said Camden. "It's got to do with an illegal weapon being carried illegally by an individual who points it at the police putting them in danger of their life. 

Camden said a semi-automatic weapon was recovered at the scene. The Independent Police Review Authority is investigating the shooting.

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7-year old Chicago boy killed while picnicking in a park

A 7-year old boy was having a July 4th picnic with his family in a park (Cole Park) in Chicago, Illinois, when someone drove up and opened fire, hitting the boy twice in the neck, killing him.

The shooters got away.  Motive is unknown.

From an article:

Community activist Andrew Holmes says he spoke with the child's grandmother, who said the family was having a July Fourth picnic in the park when someone drove up and fired shots from a vehicle. 

"Get the perpetrator off the streets," Holmes said. "Identify him. We need the gun that was used in shooting, and they definitely need to find the car so they don't hit another child. If they get away with this one, you know it's going to happen again." 

Holmes says this shooting was at least the fourth he'd responded to on this violent July 4.   ...

Chicago police say the 7-year-old boy in the Chatham neighborhood was shot twice in the neck area. Police continue to search for two unknown suspects who fired the shots and drove away. There is no description of the suspects or vehicle. 

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17 year old Chicago boy shot while standing on sidewalk

A 17 year old boy was shot on Sunday while standing on the sidewalk. From an article:

A teen was wounded in a West Garfield Park shooting early Sunday on the city’s West Side.

A 17-year-old boy was standing on the sidewalk near East Congress Parkway and South Kostner Avenue about 3:50 a.m. when he “heard shots and felt pain,” according to police News Affairs Officer Hector Alfaro.

A family member drove the boy to Loretto Hospital, where he was in “stable” condition with a gunshot wound to his right calf, Alfaro said.

Nobody was in custody Sunday morning as Area Central detectives investigated.

16 year old Chicago boy shot in apartment

In what appears to be an accidental shooting in Chicago, a 16 year old was found dead in his apartment on Friday:

A 16-year-old Hyde Park Academy basketball player died Friday morning after a gun discharged in his South Shore neighborhood home, and authorities are investigating the circumstances but said it could be accidental.

Malcolm Whitney suffered a gunshot wound to the head in the 7500 block of South Kingston Avenue this morning and was pronounced dead at 10:34 a.m. at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to a spokesman for the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Two 17 year olds shot in Chicago on Monday

There were 8 shootings in 9 hours in Chicago on Monday. Included in the victims were two 17 year old boys. From an article:

Eight people -- including a 17-year-old boy left critically wounded -- were shot Monday afternoon and evening throughout the city. (...) About 2:45 p.m., a separate shooting wounded another 17-year-old boy, this time in the 200 block of West 118th Street in the Pullman neighborhood on the Far South Side, police said.

9-year old Chicago boy injured when 16-year old opens fire on his car

Tykeece Hilliard, age 9

A 9-year old Chicago boy, Tykeece Hilliard, was riding with his mother, an adult friend of his
mother's, and five other children, when a 16-year old opened fire on the car, apparently aiming at the friend.  At least five shots were fired, one of which hit and injured Tykeece.

From an article:

Police believe Tykeece Hilliard was shot by an attacker who had been aiming at a friend of his mother as they drove on the South Side.
Police detectives questioned a 16-year-old suspect in the shooting Saturday, sources said. 

Tykeece, who was in the car with his mother, his siblings, and the man, shouted "Mommy, I'm shot," and his mother drove him to Comer Children's Hospital, about a mile and a half away. He underwent surgery for a gunshot wound to the chest and police said he is expected to survive. 

At the time of the shooting, other children were in the car but they were not hit, police said. 

The boy's mother told police she was driving near East 67th Street and South Evans Avenue about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday when she heard as many as five gunshots.
Police said someone on the street had either spotted the boyfriend in the front seat or recognized the red Aveo and opened fire, hitting the boy. The boyfriend fled the car as the mother drove to the hospital, police said. 

After the shooting, Tynisha Hilliard drove as fast as she could to Comer Children's Hospital. 

"My reaction was to save my son. That's all I can do, save my son," Tynisha Hilliard said Thursday.

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15 year old Chicago boy shot and killed after moving away from violence

Sadly, this 15 year old boy was shot and killed in Chicago on Thursday. He had just moved away to California to get away from the violence in Chicago. From the article:

Patrick Sykes was shot and killed Thursday afternoon near the1800-block of West 85th Street, according to police. Sykes moved to California six months ago to escape the violence and he returned to Chicago for his summer break, his grandmother told ABC7 News.

Sykes' father was reportedly killed two years ago about two blocks from Thursday's shooting and his murder remains unsolved.

16-year old Chicago gangster on school property shoots at rival and unintentionally hits fellow student

A 16-year old boy was on school property, where he had been thrown out earlier in the day for making threates, when he spotted a rival gang member.  He then pulled out a loaded .22 handgun and fired, but missed the rival and instead head a female student in the wrist.

From an article:

Johnathon Calvillo, who prosecutors said was a gangmember, was told to leave North Grand High School earlier Wednesday after he threatened to fight another student, prosecutors said in court today in his bond hearing. He was ordered held on $1 million bail. 

But rather than staying away from the school where he is a sophomore, Calvillo returned to school at 3:00 p.m. to pick up his girlfriend, prosecutors said. 

At that point, Calvillo spotted a rival gangmember across the street from the school and pulled out a 22-caliber handgun and fired, prosecutors said. 

He was shooting from the 1700 block of North Kedvale to the 4100 block of West Wabansia Avenues, according to police and prosecutors. North Grand High School is at 4338 W. Wabansia Ave. 

But rather than hit the rival gang member, prosecutors say, Calvillo struck a 19-year-old female student who was walking to the Pulaski bus stop, prosecutors and police said. The woman was wearing headphones when she heard the gunshot and felt the pain in her arm. 

She was shot in the left wrist, police and prosecutors said. 

Prosecutors said police happened to be in the area and witnessed the shooting. Calvillo tried to flee but police were able to arrest him within minutes of the shooting, prosecutors said. A 22-caliber gun was found near where Calvillo was detained, prosecutors said. 

After being arrested, Calvillo admitted to being a gangmember and said one of his friends was killed earlier that day by a member of the same rival gang as the suspected target. 

Calvillo told police that he tried to shoot the rival gang member whom he identified as "Speedy" in retaliation. 

The woman was taken to Norweigian American Hospital where she was treated and released for a gunshot wound to her wrist.

The article didn't say where the boy got his gun and ammo.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

Mass shooting in Illinois claims 5 victims, including two small children, and wounds a 6-year old girl

Two of the shooting victims, Nolan and Branley Ralston, ages 5 and 1.

A family in Manchester, Illinios were at home when a man, Rick Smith, broke in and, using a shotgun, shot them all at close range with a shotgun.  Five family members died, including the couple living there, Brittney Luark and her partner, Roy Ralston, and and their two small children, Nolan Ralston, age 5, and Brantley Ralston, age 1, and Luark's grandmother, Jo Ann Sinclair.  Another 6-year old girl was wounded and is in critical condition.

The shooter, Smith, was shot by police after a car chase and shootout, and later died in a hospital.

From an article:

Sources said Smith entered the home through a back door, armed with a shotgun, and shot the victims in various rooms of the apartment. Police said Smith carried the 6-year-old girl out of the home after the shootings, and placed her in the arms of a neighbor before fleeing the scene.  .... 

About three hours after police were notified of the shootings, the suspect’s car was spotted in the town of Winchester, about 12 miles away, and as officers gave chase, they exchanged gunfire with the suspect. 

“The offender exited his vehicle, pointed a weapon at the officers, and discharged his firearm. The officers then returned fire, striking the offender,” Kilby said. 

“Police took the suspect into custody, while he was in possession of multiple weapons,” Kilby said. “The suspect was then transported to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.” 

Scott County State’s Attorney Michael Hill said Smith had a criminal history, including a reckless homicide conviction, and a number of arrests for drugs and writing bad checks.
Bryan Smith won’t excuse his brother but thinks he can explain him. 

A family’s murder at the hands of Rick Smith was spurred, his family believes, by a bitter custody battle. 

“And it was not a random event. In his mind he was protecting his daughter,” said Bryan Smith, the shooter’s brother.

From another article:

Friends told Fox 2 Smith was the “estranged boyfriend” of Brittany Luark’s mother.
Luark was pregnant, according to friends. 

Bryan Smith said his brother had a child with Luark’s mother and had been “upset about some things” for a long time. .... 

Family members said the suspect had a history of mental illness.

(A related page, with photos of victims and the crime scene).

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14-year old Chicago boy shot and killed

A 14-year old boy, Michael Orozco, was walking out of a store with two teen girls when he was shot to death by someone in a van.  The motive is unknown.  The two girls are uninjured.

From an article and news footage:

Michael Orozco had just left the store at the corner of 23rd Place and Leavitt Street around 4:30 p.m. Sunday when a light green van passed, stopped and backed up, according to a police report. A gunman jumped out and fired at the three teens, then got back in and the van sped away, the report said. 

Orozco was shot in the chest and pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital at 4:56 p.m., the Cook County medical examiner's office said. 

Officers at the scene got a description and partial license plate of the van, and police stopped a minivan after it was spotted speeding down Cermak Road, the report said. Three people were taken into custody, police said.

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17-year old Chicago boy shot and injured by police after he aimed gun at them

Police responded to a "shots fired" report in Chicago.  They found there a 17-year old boy, Marvin Thompson, with a handgun, which he raised at the officers.  The officers then shot the boy in the left leg.  The boy is now being charged.

From an article:

Marvin Thompson, 17, is accused of pointing a blue steel Colt Cobra .38 caliber handgun at officers at 3:12 p.m. Friday in the 2000 block of East 94th Street, according to court documents. 

The officers shot Thompson in the left leg and he remained at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn on Sunday, authorities said. A police officer stood in Thompson’s place before Cook County Judge James Brown. 

Before Thompson was wounded last week, Area South detectives heard shots fired near East 95th Street and South Jeffrey Boulevard and called for backup as they followed three people fleeing north, according to the Chicago Police. 

The detectives ordered one of the suspects, Thompson, to drop his gun, but instead he pointed it at detectives, who opened fire and shot him, police said. 

Thompson was charged with three counts of aggravated assault to a police officer with a firearm and one count each of aggravated discharge of a firearm at a police officer and unlawful use of a weapon.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

17-year old Chicago boy shoots self in groin

A 17-year old boy in Chicago, Illinois, was cruising with some friends when a loaded gun he had in his lap discharged, hitting him in the groin.  At first he claimed he had been shot by others, but later confessed to unintentionally shooting himself.

The boy had gang affiliations.

From an article:

A 17-year-old boy suffered a gunshot wound Friday night when the gun he was handling accidentally went off and struck him in the groin as he cruised on the Northwest Side with his female friends. 

The boy, who has gang affiliations, first told officers that he was shot by two masked men who jumped out of a van in the 3300 block of North Harlem Avenue, police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli said. 

But Area North detectives canvassed the area, and could come up with no evidence or witnesses to such an incident. “They spoke to him and he changed his account repeatedly,” Mirabelli said. “Eventually he admitted the truth,” and told detectives that “he accidentally discharged the firearm.” 

The weapon had accidentally went off as he handled the gun, injuring the teenage Elmwood Park resident, who was riding in a vehicle with some female acquaintances around Harlem and Belmont avenues, Mirabelli said. 

The gun discharged in his lap and he suffered a gunshot wound to the left groin area, Mirabelli said. 

The boy was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where his condition was stable, police said. 

It was not yet known as of Saturday morning what charges, if any, the boy faces.

Every gun in the hands of a child must first pass through the hands of an adult.

6 month old Chicago baby shot and killed and her father injured

Johnylah Watkins, age 6 months

A 6 month old baby was shot and killed as her father was changing his diaper on the seat of their mini-van. From an article:

McCarthy said detectives have only a vague description of the gunman who emerged from a gangway in the 6500 block of South Maryland Avenue shortly before 1 p.m. Monday and opened fire. Jonathan Watkins, 29, was shot as he stood by the minivan's open front passenger door changing his daughter's diaper as she lay on the seat, police said.

The gunman fled to a nearby parking lot and jumped into a blue conversion van, which sped north through an alley, police said. McCarthy said police have video of what they believe is the getaway van, "which is helpful." 

The superintendent said detectives were "pursuing several angles," including that the shooting was gang-related and that Watkins was the intended target. Police say Watkins is a gang member with a lengthy arrest record for drug possession and unlawful use of a weapon.

"It appears he's the intended victim, exclusively the father," McCarthy said.

Police are looking into a claim from a relative that someone had threatened, in a Facebook post, to shoot Watkins, authorities said.

Watkins was shot in his left side and right buttock and suffered a graze wound to the face. McCarthy said detectives have talked to him, but he couldn't say whether he was cooperating or not.

UPDATE (3/13/13):  The little girl's name is Johnylah Watkins, and she was shot 5 times..   The father is Jonathan Watkins, age 28, who belongs to a gang.  From an article:

Jonylah Watkins was shot five times during the Monday afternoon attack in the South Side neighborhood of Woodlawn. She died this morning at Comer Children's Hospital, police said. 

Her father, Jonathan Watkins, was in serious but stable condition, recovering at Northwestern Memorial Hospital from wounds to his side, buttocks and face, which was only grazed, police said. 

Witnesses said the attacker approached Jonathan Watkins around 1 p.m. while he was standing beside his minivan and changing his daughter's diaper. She was on the front seat. Her family said Jonylah was shot in the thigh, shoulder, lung, liver and bowels. 

Jonathan Watkins belongs to a gang and has a long criminal history, and Monday's attack appears to have been gang-related, Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said at a news conference today. He said police weren't sure yet whether Watkins will decide to cooperate in the investigation. 

"No child, certainly not an infant, should be a victim of gang violence," McCarthy said.
Authorities found surveillance video of the blue van in which they believe the attacker fled. They believe a driver waited in the van during the shooting. 

McCarthy said police flooded the neighborhood Monday night to prevent a retaliatory attack over the infant girl's shooting. 

"He was obviously targeted," McCarthy said of Jonathan Watkins. Police were trying to determine whether a reported Facebook post threatening Watkins actually exists, McCarthy said. 

It wasn't the family's first brush with Chicago's gun violence. The girl's mother, Judy Watkins, was shot in the knee while she was pregnant with Jonylah, according to the woman's mother, Mary Young.

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