CHICAGO – A 15-year-old boy was remanded into custody after making his first court appearance Thursday afternoon in the lakefront family massacre that shook the nation.
The teenager, who has not been identified by authorities, stood expressionless in front of Judge Ricardo Lebrava, his hands cuffed behind his back and a juvenile officer holding the defendant’s body.
Assistant State’s Attorney James Scarlato revealed new details about the case, telling the court that the defendant allegedly shot and killed five members of the family – including two children – as they slept in their home on the 4400 block of North Lake Shore Drive.
Scarlato described the crime scene as “grisly” and “horrific,” with the defendant allegedly shooting each family member multiple times.
The teen is accused of using a firearm, which was obtained from his gangbanger cousin, according to Scarlato. The prosecutor did not explain how the defendant’s connection to this cousin came about, but stated that the firearm had been used in the commission of the crime.
The defense attorney, implying that the suspect might have been coerced or manipulated, mentioned the possibility that the gun may have been planted or the suspect might have been forced to commit the crime.
The judge bound the case over to the adult criminal court for further proceedings, with the possibility of the 15-year-old facing murder charges.
As the hearing concluded, an already emotional courtroom was left stunned and bewildered by the sheer brutality of the crime. Outside, a relative of one of the victims, weeping, said, “I just want justice for my family, to bring him to justice.” The family’s fate now hangs in the balance.
