West Pullman community holds meeting following restaurant shooting, recent increase in violence

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A community meeting has been planned in West Pullman to address a recent uptick in violence after a 35-year-old woman and a 14-year-old boy were charged in a 32-year-old man's shooting death in a West Pullman restaurant.

The teen faces a first-degree murder charge, and Carlishia Hood of Chicago faces a first-degree murder charge and a felony count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, Chicago police said Thursday.

The two were arrested on Wednesday in the 700-block of East 111th Street after being identified as the suspects in the man's Sunday night murder, CPD said.

Chicago police released surveillance video Wednesday of the suspects wanted in connection with the shooting.

The shooting took place in the 11600-block of South Halsted Street at about 11:05 p.m. Sunday.

Police said the 32-year-old man, who the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified as Jeremy A. Brown, was in the vestibule of a fast food restaurant and was involved in a physical altercation.

A male suspect then took out a handgun and fired, hitting Brown in the back, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Surveillance video shows the suspects arrive in a blue Lincoln Nautilus. The video also shows a suspect take out a handgun.

Anti-violence groups said they've been responding to a recent uptick in shootings in the West Pullman neighborhood. Since May 23, there have been eight shootings and five homicides in the area, according to their count.

Local leaders are meeting with concerned residents in the area who want to take back their neighborhood from crime.

Resident Tyree Jamison has experienced being shot at by thieves trying to steal his car.

"I think the parents in the community need to get more involved with these kids because they don't have any direction," Jamison said. "We have to get back to direction, discipline and teaching them what's right and what's wrong."

To fill those needs in the community, nonprofits like Roseland Ceasefire are going door to door asking residents what they need to better address the root causes of crime.

"Mental health services, housing services, there's a lot of jobs out here," said Bob Jackson, Executive Director of Roseland Ceasefire Project.

Today, Ceasefire is holding a neighborhood gathering to connect residents with existing resources from state and local leaders.

"A lot of times those other things that you're having problems with leads to violence," Jamison said. "Trying to make ends meet when they really don't have to. They have services, and when they come out and help us, it builds a better community."

State representative Bob Rita said Illinois dedicated $1.3 million toward anti-violence efforts on the South Side of Chicago. Those funds are going directly to boots on the ground community groups.

"Being out there with them today is showing the people we do care, from all levels of government," Rita said.

The Thursday evening meeting will bring together the 5th district police commander, local alderpersons and the county commissioner to call for peace in their neighborhood.

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