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82-Year-Old Catherine Glenn and Two Others Killed, 10 Wounded in Chicago Weekend Violence

May 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment

CHICAGO WEEKEND VIOLENCE:  Three people were killed and at least 10 wounded during another weekend of violence in Chicago. Catherine Glenn, 82, was found dead in her South Shore home early Sunday following a domestic-related incident, the Sun Times reports. A person of interest is being questioned.

Separately, Ronald Baskin was found shot to death in his vehicle in Englewood about 4 p.m. Sunday. Another man, in his 20s, was found unresponsive, with multiple gun shot wounds, in the 2800 block of East 76th Street in the South Shore section of the city. He was pronounced dead at an area-hospital.

Ten people were shot, including a 15 year old, 17 year old and 18 year old, who was shot in the chest and is listed in serious condition. A woman is in serious condition after being stabbed by her boyfriend during a domestic incident in the 2700 block of South Kildare Avenue. Her boyfriend has not been arrested.

 

Filed Under: Chicago News, Crime News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Chicago Teen Cornelius German Murdered Near President Obama’s Kenwood Home

April 24, 2013 by 1 Comment

Another teen has been murdered near President Obama’s Chicago home. Cornelius German,15, was murdered Monday night just four blocks from President Obama’s Kenwood home. This murder is a reminder of the deaths of Hadiya Pendleton and Rashad Pratt, who were murdered near the President’s home. Cornelius German, whose nickname was ‘Cornbread,’ was pronounced dead at the Cook County medical examiner’s office at 12:50 a.m. Tuesday. No suspects are in custody. The teen reportedly had trouble at school and had friends who were in gangs, the Chicago Tribune reports.

His mother admitted that her son rebelled against authority and hung out with gang members, but she was unhappy that Chicago police had so quickly called her son a gang member.

“This is not Hadiya Pendleton. This is Cornelius German, a boy affiliated with gangs,” Timika Rutledge-German said. “Police can’t say he was a known gangbanger. He hung with everybody because they were his homies.”

Police officials said the boy had “documented gang ties.” He also had a juvenile record that included arrests for armed robbery and findings of guilt for theft and battery, according to law enforcement sources.

[...]

Though his mother insisted her son was not in a gang, she did not deny his struggles. He was kicked out of Chicago Public Schools and put in alternative schools after he defied authority figures and developed an attitude problem, she said. He hung out with gang members, she added. But just two months ago he had earned his way back into Kenwood Academy High School, to the delight of his parents, who had high hopes that he was finally being given a chance to straighten out. Source

 

Filed Under: Chicago News, Crime News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chicago Resident Shirley Chambers Loses Fourth Child, Ronnie Chambers, to Gun Violence

January 27, 2013 by 1 Comment

SMH:  Shirley Chambers lost her fourth child, Ronnie Chambers, to gun violence. Ronnie Chambers, AKA Scooby, who has a history of drug and weapons convictions, was shot in the head and killed in the 1100 block of South Mozart, the Chicago Sun Times reports. He was killed while sitting in a car.

His 15-year-old sister, LaToya Chambers, was killed in 2000 near Cabrini-Green. That same year, Jerome Chambers, 23, was shot and killed feet from where his sister died. And in 1995, Carlos Chambers was killed by a fellow student at Jones Metropolitan High School, now known as Jones College Prep.

“What did I do wrong?” Shirley Chambers told the TV station. “I was there for them.”

Ronnie Chambers — known as Scooby — was the manager of an aspiring rapper who goes by the name YK and had recently been on Ricki Lake’s TV show talking about changing his life, according to his longtime friends Nicole and Laverne Smith. Source

Separately six others were killed and six wounded in weekend violence in Chicago. Among the dead are Willie Wilson, 32, who was stabbed to death during a domestic dispute at his home. Norman Stokes, Dimitri Buford and Antonio Fenner were also killed.

 

Filed Under: Chicago News, Gun Violence Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Lavonshay Cooper Killed, Another Person Wounded in Shooting on I-94

January 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Chicago Gun Violence: Lavonshay Cooper was fatally shot, another injured in an early morning shooting on Interstate 94 near Canalport Avenue, the Chicago Tribune reports. This comes as 10 people were shot, two died in gunfire in Chicago on Saturday.

Lavonshay Cooper was travelling with three other men in a Nissan Sentra when the shots rang out at about 2:35 a.m. Cooper and the other occupant in the backseat were shot, while the driver and the front passenger weren’t. Lavonshay Cooper was pronounced dead at 3:05 a.m.

Police have no lead on the type of vehicle from which the shooting occurred nor do they have a description of the possible shooters. One of the passengers traveling in the vehicle with Lavonshay Cooper fled the scene.

Filed Under: Chicago News, Gun Violence Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Christmas Gun Violence: One Dead in Louisville, Seven Hurt, Five Critical in Shooting in Chicago

December 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment
300px S%26W 60 3in Christmas Gun Violence: One Dead in Louisville, Seven Hurt, Five Critical in Shooting in Chicago

Christmas Gun Violence:  One Dead in Louisville, Seven Hurt, Five Critical in Shooting in Chicago. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

GUN VIOLENCE:  One male in his 20s was killed overnight in Louisville, KY, the third in the past three days. The man was shot and killed in the 2400 block of Portland Avenue Christmas morning. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. His name has not been released, pending notification to his family and no suspects are in custody. On Monday, Dante Newsome was fatally shot on West Market Street. On Sunday, Kenneth Forbes Jr., was shot to death in the parking lot of Beverage World in Shively.

Separately, Christmas Eve shootings left seven people wounded, five critical, in Chicago.  Here’s a breakdown from the Chicago Tribune:

The shooting happened shortly before 7:30 p.m. in the 9400 block of South Justine Street in the Brainerd neighborhood on the South Side, officials said.

A male opened fire, striking four males as they walked down the sidewalk, Chicago Police Department News Affairs Officer Amina Greer said, citing preliminary information.

A 15-year-old  and a 22-year-old  were taken to Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, a 17-year old was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and a 19-year-old  was taken to John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County, police said.

The 15-year-old was shot in the abdomen, and the 17-year-old was shot in the chest, police said. The other two men were shot multiple times.

Thomas Cunion was killed in an East Baltimore housing project Christmas Eve. The shooting occurred in view of a surveillance camera and investigators are inspecting the cameras for any clues, the Baltimore Sun reports. Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 410-396-2100.

Christmas Gun Violence: One Dead in Louisville, Seven Hurt, Five Critical in Shooting in Chicago
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URGENT: Chicago Police Need Your Help in Solving the Murder of Rashad Pratt

October 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment
rashad pratt killed 259x300 URGENT: Chicago Police Need Your Help in Solving the Murder of Rashad Pratt

Chicago Police Need Your Help in Solving the Murder of Rashad Pratt (Facebook)

The police have still not solved the murder of Rashad Pratt, who was gunned down in the early morning hours of August 26, 2012, on the corner of 91st and East End in Chicago. We still need your help in solving this crime. On Saturday, Crime Stoppers and Rashad’s family plan to canvass the community with volunteers to seek answers.

Please come out and join Cook County Crime Stoppers and Rashad Pratt’s family and friends SATURDAY MORNING (October 13, 2012 at 10:00AM at the corner of 9100 S. East End, Chicago, IL 60617) as we pass out flyers in the community and gather fact finding information about what happened to Rashad. Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 cash reward for anonymous tips that help solve Rashad Pratt’s murder. Please call 1 (800) 535-STOP any day to report tips.

And if you want to post a link to the Facebook page, it can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/JusticeForRashadPratt

If you think you saw something that morning in the area where Rashad was killed, please contact the police or Crime Stoppers. We want Rashad Pratt’s killer(s) to face justice and not remain free to roam the streets.

Filed Under: Crime News Tagged With: , , , , ,

Chicago Gun Violence: Rashad Pratt Murdered in His Car Not Far From President Obama’s Chicago Home

August 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment
rashad pratt murdered 259x300 Chicago Gun Violence: Rashad Pratt Murdered in His Car Not Far From President Obamas Chicago Home

Chicago Gun Violence: Rashad Pratt Murdered in His Car Not Far From President Obama’s Chicago Home (Photo credit: Facebook)

I first reported on the untimely death of Chicago resident Rashad Pratt Sunday, but I am appealing to the public  for help in solving his murder. When I first reported on the murder, it was in the context of the alarming rise in gun violence in Chicago, President Obama’s home state. Sixteen people, including four teens , were shot and Rashad Pratt killed in a 24 hour period from Saturday morning to Sunday morning.

I was also shocked beyond words when his sister sent me a message on Facebook to say that was her brother. His sister and I have developed a friendship over the years by virtue of blogging and political commentary. Cheri guest-blogged on The Hinterland Gazette a few times and I did the same on her website. I also appeared on her radio show as the results were coming in for the last presidential election, so it is particularly personal that I appeal for help from the public to solve her brother’s murder. Cheri can be found on Axiom Amnesia.

It is ironic that we are in the midst of another presidential election and the dialogue about gun violence hasn’t changed but has intensified. This runaway gun violence is happening in President Obama’s backyard. In fact, Rashad Pratt was killed not far from Obama’s Chicago home.  Rashad Pratt’s family is at a loss as to who could have taken this doting father to daughter Amora, son and brother from his family.

Here is an excerpt from the Justice for Rashad Pratt Facebook page:

Rashad Pratt (March 10, 1984 to August 26, 2012)

On the early morning hours of 8/26/2012, Rashad Pratt was savagely murdered, and was found in his vehicle moments later on the corner of 91st and East End in Chicago. Right now, this is basically all we know, and we need your help finding out what happened to Rashad.

[...]From the family:

We loved Rashad so very much, and we NEED to know what happened to him. He left behind a grieving wife, daughter, parents, siblings, extended relatives and supportive friends. He was a victim of Chicago’s gun violence and will never ever be forgotten. We love him very much and appreciate all of the condolences that are being offered. Thank you all for your kind words and support in this dark time. We will keep you all updated on events to come. We ask that if anyone has any information regarding his death to please contact us, as we are all searching for answers to this senseless tragedy.
I am appealing to the politicians to step up to the plate and help the residents of any community across the U.S. that is mired by gun violence to say enough is enough and fight to eradicate the self-destruction that is taking place in our communities.  We cannot afford for Rashad Pratt, who was born in a family of achievers and decent, law-abiding Americans, to become another statistic in the Chicago Police Department files. To the residents, if you think you saw something, please call the police and tell them, no matter how small. Rashad Pratt’s death shouldn’t go unsolved.

Listen to Cheri on Axiom Amnesia talking about Rashad Pratt’s murder:

play audio Chicago Gun Violence: Rashad Pratt Murdered in His Car Not Far From President Obamas Chicago Home

Filed Under: Chicago News, Murder Charges Tagged With: , , ,

Chicago’s Growing Problem with Gun Violence Deserves Intervention from Federal Government

August 27, 2012 by 1 Comment
300px S%26W 60 3in Chicagos Growing Problem with Gun Violence Deserves Intervention from Federal Government

Chicago’s Growing Problem with Gun Violence Deserves Intervention from Federal Government (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The recent spate of gun violence which took place in Chicago over the weekend, taking the life of Rashad Pratt and injuring four teens, underscores the need for politicians to get involved and do something about it. I and others in the non-violence movement have been creating awareness of the effects violence has on the family and the community as a whole. The problem has now escalated to unprecedented levels, where failing divine intervention, we now need politicians to step in.

Why politicians? You may very well ask that question. Politicians are needed as they have reduced spending in areas of public safety (police officers, firemen) and education due to stringent budget cuts. The citizens in those areas are now paying the price for what some politician or groups of civil  leaders came together and decided that was the answer to their budgetary dilema.  The truth is wherever there is policing, there is reduced violence. take the police off the streets and mayhem and violence reigns. Just as in war, we need boots on the ground to win, we need police boots, radios, patrols, on the ground to reduce violent activity.

Failure to do this will result  in anarchy in the society. We have got to stop the violence.

Chicagos Growing Problem with Gun Violence Deserves Intervention from Federal Government
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Rashad Pratt Killed, 16 Others, Including Four Teens, Wounded in Gun Violence in Chicago in Last 24 Hrs

August 26, 2012 by 1 Comment
rashad pratt Rashad Pratt Killed, 16 Others, Including Four Teens, Wounded in Gun Violence in Chicago in Last 24 Hrs

Rashad Pratt Killed, 16 Others, Including Four Teens, Wounded in Gun Violence in Chicago in Last 24 Hrs (Facebook)

GUN VIOLENCE RISING: The gun violence continues to rage in certain pockets across the U.S., including Chicago where Rashad Pratt was killed and at least 16 others wounded across the city between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Rashad Pratt was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds inside a SUV parked near the corner of 91st Street and South East End Avenue on the South Side of Chicago about 3 a.m. Sunday morning, the Chicago Tribune reports. Four teenagers are among the wounded.

Police Supt. Garry McCarthy is under pressure to do something about this growing gun violence. He announced at a recent press conference that a dozen reputed gang members were arrested.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Rashad Pratt’s wife and family. How many more people have to die before something is done about the guns on the streets?

 

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Obama Won’t Push for New Gun Control Measures in Wake of Aurora Shooting Massacre

July 23, 2012 by 2 Comments

So there you have it, the Obama White House intends to do nothing about gun control laws, according to press secretary Jay Carney. In other words, New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg is preaching to the choir when he says President Obama and Mitt Romney need to say what they will do to tighten gun control laws in light of James Eagan Holmes’ shooting rampage at the premiere of “Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora, CO.

Politico:  Carney said that includes a reauthorization of the Clinton-era assault-weapon ban that lapsed during the George W. Bush administration. “As you know, there’s been opposition to that since it expired within Congress,” Carney said. “The president is focused on doing the things that we can do that protect Second Amendment rights which he thinks is important but also make it harder for individuals who should not under existing law have weapons to obtain them.”

So, there you have it in a nutshell — Obama won’t touch gun control during the presidential campaign. He wants to keep everything status quo as many are falling victim to gun violence in his home city of Chicago.

pixel Obama Wont Push for New Gun Control Measures in Wake of Aurora Shooting Massacre
Filed Under: Aurora Theater Shooting, U.S. Politics Tagged With: , , , ,
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