Man kills boy, injures woman in Edgewater stabbing day after being released on parole, officials say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man who was released on parole the day before an attack in Edgewater left an 11-year-old boy dead and a pregnant woman injured has been charged in the attack, Chicago police announced Friday.

The suspect was in court Friday. Family members of the victims attempted to charge at the man, which led to a fight with deputies in the courtroom and arrests.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said it was a crime, "that should never happened."

Jayden Perkins, 11, and his 33-year-old pregnant mother were attacked in the 5900-block of North Ravenswood Avenue on Wednesday morning.

Officers found the boy with an injury to the chest, and the woman had multiple stab wounds, Chicago police said.

Police said the boy tried to protect his mother from the attacker before he was killed.

Family and friends of the victims gathered again with heavy hearts Friday night at the Edgewater apartment building,

A support fund been set up for Perkins' family, 48th Ward Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth said. Over $50,000 has already been raised.

Superintendent Snelling said that Crosetti Brand, 37, was released on parole the day before the attack and the victim had an order of protection against him.

Snelling said the suspect was on parole after being sentenced to prison for 16 years for a home invasion and was on electronic monitoring.

READ MORE: Boy killed; pregnant mother stabbed, critically injured in Edgewater, authorities say

Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti said Brand was , "Paroled and placed on electronic monitoring last October. While he was on parole, he threatened the female victim via text and also showed up at her home. He was sent back to prison in February for this parole violation."

The suspect was charged with one count of first degree murder, one count of attempted first degree murder, three counts of home invasion with a dangerous weapon, one count of armed robbery with a dangerous weapon, one count of aggravated domestic battery, one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon , one count of violation of a prior order of protection and one issuance of a warrant for a parole violation.

"There should be confidence in the criminal justice system and we would hope that incidents are rare," Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx said. "However rare, this is horrific and we need to do an evaluation, particularly in this case and others, to ensure that there were no gaps in the justice system that will allow for a dangerous offender to commit the acts that he did. And as you heard the superintendent say, that there are questions and questions that need to be examined and truthfully answered so that we can prevent something like this from happening in the future."

Court records revealed Brand had a prior home invasion conviction, and he previously violated multiple orders of protection, including an order of protection presently in place with the woman Brand allegedly stabbed Wednesday. Police said the mother and Brand had a relationship 15 years ago, but wouldn't provide any more details.

The state also said Brand was captured on surveillance video multiple times Wednesday, including leaving a CTA train after the alleged attack.

The 33-year-old pregnant mother still being treated at Saint Francis Hospital and remains in critical condition. The woman's six-year-old son was also present during the stabbing and was not injured, according to court records.

Chief of Detectives Ursitti said video evidence showed the suspect with running from the scene with the knife used in the incident. Brand was taken into custody hours after the stabbing.

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