Arrest warrant issued for Earl Truss, wanted in deadly Harvey shooting

HARVEY, Ill. (WLS) -- Police have issued an arrest warrant for a man wanted in connection with a deadly shooting inside a suburban convenience store.

The weekend shooting was captured by a store surveillance camera and police in suburban Harvey say the suspect should be considered armed and dangerous.

Earl Truss is wanted for allegedly killing a 17-year-old and critically injuring the teen's mother.

As investigators continued to search for Truss Monday, friends and family of Juwan Benson continue to struggle with the violence.

"He didn't have to die," Shirley Coleman said. "They didn't have to kill him."

Coleman is mourning the loss of her grandson, 17-year-old Juwan Benson as Harvey Police search for the man they say murdered the teen and critically wounded his mother over the weekend.

"He was so fun loving. Juwan loved life," Coleman said.

On Monday, police issued an arrest warrant for 24-year-old Earl Truss III of Harvey and officers in other south suburban departments to be on the lookout for him. Investigators say they believe Truss is the gunman who opened fire on Benson at a gas station Saturday afternoon.

"We're asking for the community to please be on the lookout for this individual and if you see him, call your local agency. He needs to be considered armed and dangerous," said Chief Detective Gregory Thomas, Harvey Police Department.

Friends say Truss had been terrorizing the family ever since he and Benson got into a fight a few weeks ago. The teen and his mother were attacked while buying snacks.

"All of a sudden we heard a whole lot of gunshots and my daughter-in-law came back and she said, 'Ma, they shot Juwan and Sheika,'" Coleman said.

A gas station security camera captured the attack, which was posted and reposted on social media.

Monday afternoon, as those who knew Juwan Benson say he was smart and funny and loved rapping and basketball, the south suburb has been left shaken by the violence.

"Crime is at its lowest here in the city of Harvey in over 17 years. This represents the first homicide ending May," said Sean Howard.

Investigators are continuing to follow numerous leads.

The family of the teen plan to hold a prayer vigil outside the gas station where the shooting happened around 7 p.m. Monday.