Valentine’s Day Carnage in Chicago: What We Know So Far

On Valentine’s Day in Chicago, violent criminal predators shot nine people, killing four. Facebook Live streamed the highest profile incident, attracting even more national publicity. In that case . . .

a triple-victim attack ended with two fatalities. A two-year-old toddler took a round to the head and died as part of a crime broadcast live. The dead toddler marked the third child killed in about as many days in the Windy City.

Internal Chicago Police Department “Detailed Situational Report” documents share some additional information about these incidents and their victims. At the time of this writing, police have no suspects under arrest in any of these crimes.

Homicide – First Degree Murder

James Johnson, 23, a Black Disciples gang member, went into a “store” with a “friend.” A pair of individuals followed them in. Moments later, one bad guy produced a handgun and proceeded to administer a single lead pill to Mr. Johnson’s chest. The lead supplement sent Mr. Johnson to the big convenience store in the sky.

Mr. Johnson had 22 previous arrests and four – count ’em four – convictions. He caught unlawful use of weapons convictions in 2013 (sentenced to a year, meaning he was out in a few weeks – or time served in county jail while awaiting trial). In 2015 his prosecutors didn’t prosecute. His Strategic Subject List score came in at 405, meaning his lifestyle choices destined him to either prison or an untimely, premature expiration.

Robbery – Attempted (Handgun)

Next up, a Gangster Disciple found himself the victim of a home invasion robbery. Two masked subjects forced their way inside an apartment occupied by Dalvin (last name withheld – LNW), 19, and his Uncle Donnell (LNW). Of course, the intruders demanded narcotics (go figure) and cash.

Dalvin managed to barricade himself in a bedroom. One of the masked baddies shot through the door, wounding young Dalvin. For whatever reason, the masked hoodlums fled the apartment, leaving behind a partially loaded magazine of .45 ammo.  (I have a $20 bill that says that magazine was filled with ball ammo…)

Dalvin earned himself an SSL score of 355; his uncle 288. No stranger to the criminal justice system, Dalvin has 16 arrests including narcotics and burglary. With great skill and care, Cook County’s crack State’s Attorney’s office garnered exactly zero convictions from those.

Homicide – First Degree Murder

Gangster Disciple Malik Ellis, 18, yielded up his spirit after getting some .40 S&W loving to the chest. He rode as the passenger in a van when a dark-colored vehicle pulled up alongside.

The other vehicle opened up on the van, hitting Mr. Ellis in the chest. The driver dumped the van and Mr. Ellis at Mt. Sinai Hospital and left. With cannabis and retail theft arrests (and zero convictions), the dearly departed Malik also carried an SSL score of 354.

Double Homicide – First Degree Murder (Live on Facebook!)

Lazarec Collins, 26, a Traveling Vice Lord Body Snatchers Four Corner Hustler (imagine that spelled out on a tattoo), traveled with his girlfriend, Breunna McGowan, 21. In the back of the car rode the only Valentine’s Day victim of Chicago’s violence without an arrest record: two-year-old Lavontae White.

Collins’ ride picked up a tail. Upon stopping to check for traffic at the next street, a baddie from the tail vehicle stepped out and lit up Collins and his car.

Collins fled from the car, leaving his pregnant girlfriend and the infant behind. He took one to the brain housing group as he ran, just like Marvin from Pulp Fiction.  The mother fled the car as well, leaving her toddler behind.

Wasting no time, she ran to her nearby home with a GSW to the gut. Thankfully, she survived, along with her 14-week-old fetus. Sadly, the abandoned 2-year-old in the back seat caught one of the rounds and died as well.

Collins, the male half, carried a SSL score of 319 with 18 arrests and three convictions. His arrests included robbery, possession of controlled substances and gambling.

Not to be outdone, the female scored a 337 on the SSL – not the ideal candidate for a life insurance company policy. Her six arrests include battery and drug possession.

Homicide – First Degree Murder

Eddie Wade, 62, sat in his vehicle when a dark colored Jeep Grand Cherokee passed him slowly, stopped, then backed up. Aiming carefully, the right rear passenger proceeded to fire upon Mr. Wade.

Mr. Wade took multiple hits and bailed out. He did not die tired; he didn’t get far before he fell and expired.

No stranger to the criminal justice system, Mr. Wade had 38 arrests and 14 convictions. His arrests included drug possession, pot, unlawful use of weapons, armed robbery (10 years in the pokey) and a 1971 murder/voluntary manslaughter conviction that earned him three years in prison.

Battery – Aggravated (Handgun)

Is it racism when Cook County prosecutors don’t charge bad guys who try to kill black people with attempted murder, but aggravated battery instead?

Ebony (LNW), 28, and DeShawn (LNW), 29, shopped in a convenience store in the 200 block of South Laramie when someone approached and began firing into the store’s window. Both Ebony and DeShawn took minor hits around the edges.

Fearing for his life, the Four Corner Hustlers gangster DeShawn drew his own unlawfully possessed and carried .357 magnum and let loose with some big booms from inside the store.

The female half has a previous domestic violence arrest and her boy toy DeShawn claims 33 arrests and 11 convictions. His arrests include pot, gang loitering, parole violations, and gambling. He also survived getting shot less than a year ago, no surprise with his SSL score of 393.

Battery – Aggravated (Handgun)

Next up, Dachari (LNW), 18, has a new scar.

On a date with a girl he met on Facebook, The Four Corner Hustlers gangster sat in his car. He heard gunshots. Promptly, he bravely abandoned his date to fend for herself. (He must have called in sick the day they covered “chivalry” in finishing school.)

Never resting, Karma caught up with Dachari with a slug in the ankle. The hard-core tough guy (SSL score 469) would not cooperate with the police. He has 23 arrests and four convictions.

Battery – Aggravated (Handgun)

Rodriguez (LNW), a Spanish Cobra ‘banger, walked down the street when a sedan rolled up. According to cops, the rear passenger yelled out, “What’s up Cobra folks!” and fired once, striking Rodriguez in the abdomen.

The 22 year old has 27 arrests, 7 convictions and an SSL score of 396. His arrests include pot, gang probation violations and a pair of unlawful use of weapons charges within three months — one dismissed by prosecutors, the other finished after an eight day stint in jail.

You read that right: eight days for unlawful use of weapons.

Chicago’s judicial system is a joke

So, there you have it. Chicago’s gang violence victims are predominately gang members themselves — excepts for innocents caught in the mix. The Chicago Police Superintendent says criminals view Chicago’s judicial system as “a joke.” He’s right.

What’s more, all this bad press doesn’t help NBC as it rolls out Chicago Justice. Given the farce of Cook County’s State’s Attorney’s office and the judicial system as a whole, anyone at all familiar with Chicagoland carnage knows justice in Chicago is far from a sure thing.

Lastly, remember when the mainstream media talks about “gun violence” in Chicago, they really mean “gang violence.”