Illinois Senator Rev. James Meeks accompanied a 21-year-old alleged gang member accused of murdering 20-month-old Cynia Cole with an errant gunshot as he turned himself in to police, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The suspect was identified by a friend as Michael Johnson, although court records identify him as Michael J. Wilson.
The bullet that struck the South Side girl in the head and killed her was allegedly meant for her father, Jerome Hendricks, described by sources as a member of the Gangster Disciples gang. The alleged shooter is a reputed member of the rival Black P-Stones gang.
The shooter fired several shots at the family's parked car, in which the girl was seated. Intended target Jerome Hendricks said he had stopped at the home of a man who sells cigarettes when the shooter opened fire, discharging about eight rounds into the vehicle:
"I knew my baby was hit. I reached in to the back and held her with one arm while driving with the other."
He said he then took her to the home of her grandmother, a nurse, who applied pressure on the wound until an ambulance arrived. The toddler died at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital soon after.
Rev. James Meeks told reporters he helped convince the suspect to surrender after his mother contacted the Senator; she told him her son was scared for his safety. Alberta Cole, the girl's mother, said the shooter ran after the shooting, but that his hood fell off and revealed his face.
Cynia's sisters, 4-year-old Janiya and 8-month-old Amazing also were in the back seat of the car, but were not injured in the attack. The bullet that struck and eventually killed Cynia entered through the trunk of the car, police said.
Related Resources:
-
Crime Victim Resources (FindLaw)
-
Criminal Prosecutors Push for Tougher Gang Laws (FindLaw's Blotter Blog)
-
Find a Chicago Criminal Attorney (FindLaw)
ShareThis
