Boy, 16, was on home confinement when he allegedly murdered retired CPD officer: prosecutors

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The mother and family of the 16-year-old boy accused in the slaying of retired Chicago Police Officer Larry Neuman left court without saying a word on Tuesday.

Lazarius Watt turned himself in over the weekend and has been charged, as an adult, with first-degree murder in the shooting death of the veteran lawman.



In court, a Cook County judge called Watt's alleged actions "heinous," adding that he is a danger to the entire neighborhood before remanding him to custody.

According to prosecutors, Watt was on home confinement at the time of the murder and had more than a half-dozen violations after being placed on electronic monitoring just six months earlier.



The teen was set to be arraigned in juvenile court on a carjacking charge on Tuesday.

Investigators say Watt and another gunman approached Neuman outside his West Garfield Park home on Thursday as he was in the process of paying someone for helping to mow his lawn.

That's when the unidentified gunman yelled "freeze," and grabbed for the victim.

"The victim backed up and reached for his own gun when the co-defendant shot the victim," said Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Anne McCord. "As witness one ran to escape, he observed the defendant aim his firearm at the victim."

Neuman managed to get off one shot, but was hit twice and later died from his injuries at an area hospital. The suspects ran away.



Detectives say the retired cop pushed the landscaper out of the way, saving his life as the gunfire erupted.

And while Neuman is being called a hero, the part-time pastor and the longest-serving explosives specialist with CPD is being remembered as a friend to the community.

Investigators are still searching for a second teen suspect, a person many say Neuman would have tried to help.

SEE ALSO | CPD releases video of 2 suspects in murder of retired Chicago police officer: VIDEO


"I just want justice - justice for the Neuman family, justice for the community but also, we don't want to forget that there's what we call grace and mercy," said St. Michael missionary Baptist Church Pastor Paul Sims.



Watt is due back in court next month.

Visitation for Neuman will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church, 4106 W. Monroe St., where Neuman was a member for 30 years as well as a pastor. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Michael.

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