2nd teen charged in murder of retired Chicago Police Officer Larry Neuman

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A second teen is now also facing murder charges for the shooting death of a retired Chicago police officer, police said Friday.

This comes after 16-year-old Lazarius Watt was also charged with murder as an adult in the shooting death of retired CPD Officer Larry Neuman last week on the city's West Side.

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Meanwhile on Friday, a visitation was held for Neuman. Many there said there is a feeling of relief now that both suspects have been charged in his murder, but they are still struggling to understand the tragedy.

"That's all he talked about when he got up to speak was the young generation... and what all we could do to help them," longtime friend Mary Baldwin said.

A 17-year-old male offender was arrested Thursday on the South Side and is facing two felony charges for murder, Chicago police said. He was also charged with an unrelated robbery that happened on November 21, 2023 in West Garfield Park.

The second offender's name was not released by police. It was not immediately known if he would also be charged as an adult with Watt.

In court earlier this week, investigators said Watt and the other 17-year-old gunman approached Neuman outside his West Garfield Park home last 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, prosecutors said.

"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.

The news of a second arrest Friday came as loved ones gathered for funeral services at St. Michael Church in west Garfield park, where Neuman was a part-time pastor for 30 years.

One of Neuman's former colleagues, retired CPD Commander Gene Roy, spoke to ABC7 about how much the loss hurts the community. Colleagues said Neuman gave his life to his community.

"This whole thing is just a terrible shock... everybody knew Larry," Roy said. "And... always a good word, always a smile on his face, he was the guy you turn to if there was a problem, always had a right way of talking to people, to resolve the issue... There's an old saying, 'you sign up, you sign up for life'... you look at the last moments of his life on earth. He was protecting somebody else... there's no higher praise for anybody."

The 17-year-old offender will appear in court Saturday.

Neuman was CPD's longest-serving explosives specialist. He became an explosives specialist for TSA in 2010 after a 28-year career with CPD.

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

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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