COOK COUNTY, IL – Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced a murder charge today in the shooting of a 64-year-old Lansing man Tuesday afternoon at a forest preserve in Calumet City.
Cook County Forest Preserve Police and Calumet City Police responded to a call of shots fired Tuesday, Nov. 22, at approximately 12:24 p.m. at the Cook County Green Lake Woods Forest Preserve. Police discovered a Chevrolet Malibu stuck in dense brush and attempting to reverse. Police then observed an individual on the driver’s side toss a firearm, firearm magazine and black backpack from the car. The individual was ordered to exit the vehicle and he complied.
The individual was later identified as Jaylen D. Lewis, 19, of Calumet City.
Responding officers also located a 64-year-old male victim from Lansing on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. A search of the area recovered a black firearm with no make, model or serial number, often referred to as a “ghost gun.” The firearm magazine and backpack, which contained small bags of what appeared to be cannabis, were also recovered.
Lewis was taken into custody and Sheriff’s Police detectives initiated an investigation. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the first-degree murder charge Thursday, Nov. 24. Lewis was ordered held without bond during a court hearing that same day.
The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the government in a court of law.
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