Uptown shooting: Berwyn man charged with murder after parents found dead in senior housing complex

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 33-year-old Berwyn man has been charged with murdering his parents after they were found dead in their Uptown apartment Sunday night, Chicago police said Thursday morning.

Ocie Banks Jr. faces two felony counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of is parents Ocie Banks Sr., 79, and Sheila Banks, 61, prosecutors said.

He was arrested Tuesday in the 2400-block of West Belmont Avenue in Lakeview after being identified as the individual who shot and killed the couple on Saturday, Chicago police said.

Officers responded to the Wilson Yard senior housing complex in the 1000-block of West Montrose Avenue at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday for a well-being check. After getting access to the unit with the help of an onsite maintenance worker, police said officers found the couple in the bedroom dead.

Police said the woman had what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the side of the head and the man suffered trauma to the face.

The medical examiner said Sheila Banks died of a gunshot wound to the head, while Ocie Banks Sr. died of multiple gunshot wounds.

"Her son had come to the building. He had called police because he had been calling his mom and dad for two days and hadn't gotten an answer," said Gretta Carter, a neighbor.

According to prosecutors, Banks Jr. had a history of physically abusing his father, as well as a federal armed robbery case pending against him.

Family said the Banks, who were still married, lived separately but spent a lot of time together. The apartment was leased to Sheila Banks, who was soon to retire, and according to neighbors had hosted a card party Friday night. She was last seen by them Saturday night.

SEE MORE: Chicago police investigating after couple found dead in Uptown apartment complex

Prosecutors said they believe Banks Jr. killed his parents in the early morning hours of April 9.

According to prosecutors, surveillance video from the building shows Banks Jr. entering his mother's apartment along with his father and two other relatives the night of April 8 for a card party. That same video shows everyone leaving around 3 a.m., except for Banks Jr. and his parents.

Banks Jr. is seen leaving the apartment around 6 a.m., prosecutors said, and no one enters or exists the apartment until Chicago police officers arrived on the night of April 10 to conduct a wellbeing check.

Banks Jr. appeared in bond court Thursday, where a judge ruled he remain in custody without bond.

Meanwhile, neighbors said they plan to ask apartment management for additional security. They said they'd feel much safer with 24-hour security personnel, manning the front door.