Laroy Battle: Chicago man ruthlessly shoots dead two teens for JUST asking him how tall he was at candy store
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: A Chicago man has been charged for murdering two teenage boys. Laroy Battle shot Jasean Francis, 17 and Charles Riley, 16, on the South Side of Chicago on June 20. The 19-year-old has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the double homicide on Thursday evening, June 25. He has been held without a bond.
Police said the two teenagers — Francis and Riley — along with a third friend went into a convenience store on June 20, where they encountered 6-foot-3 Battle. Detective Brendan Deenihan said the teens asked the accused how tall he was and expressed the hope they would also be that tall someday. And while the boys were returning home, who had gone to the store to buy candy, Battle allegedly approached them and shot them multiple times in an alley. “These individuals were with their friend. They’d just gone to a mall. They know the neighborhood. They don’t ever go out to the neighborhood because it’s so dangerous,” Deputy Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan told CBS 2.
Reports claimed that Francis was hit in the chest, back and left hand, while Riley was shot in the back and left leg. Both the victims were rushed to the University of Chicago Hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries later. The third teenager did not get shot as he escaped the scene. His identity has not been revealed by police, The Daily Mail reported.
“There was no altercation. There was nothing that would have set off Battle to be angry at these kids. They literally just asked him how tall he was. Cause he's extremely tall. I know it doesn't make any sense,” Deenihan said. He added that in the security cameras from the area, Battle was seen “discarding a gun in the garbage can and then Battle was eventually found hiding out in a motel”.
The suspect was reportedly arrested on Wednesday, June 24, after he was found by the Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force in Schiller Park. Deputy Chief Deenihan said that the community proved a great help in identifying and locating Battle. It has been said that after seeing a video of himself on social media, Battle cut off his hair to change his look. Deenihan said Battle, who has a previous conviction for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, has not disclosed the reason behind the murders.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the families of the two boys have been devastated by the tragedy. Francis’ aunt Keena Hoyle said, “He was nice to seniors on the block. The nurses looked forward to him coming over there daily. They brought over to the family roses. They watched him grow up as a child.”
While a woman named Rae Simone, who calls herself a sibling of Francis on Facebook, wrote several heartbreaking tributes for him. “Not in a Million Years did I Think I’ll Be Having To Lay My Brother To Rest. This I Don’t Understand. This I Have No Words For,” she posted. “I’m My Brothers Keeper. I’m His Super Hero, Sister That Save, The Day. I’m His Protector And This Time I Feel As If I Failed. I’m Just Sitting Here Waiting On Him To Call And Say That Wasn’t Him Or I’m On My Way Home.
“I’m Still Sitting Here Waiting On Him To Call And Say: 'Come Pick Me Up. Can I Ride With You?' I’m Still Waiting On Him To Mispronounce My Name. I’m Sitting Here Ready To Pick Argument With Ja-Sean About Cayln. I’m Still Here Waiting To See Him Just Walk Through The Living Room Door Or Ja-Sean Asking Me Where My Car? My Brother My Baby My Son You Left Me Too Soon. I’m So Confused,” Simone shared.
The friends and family of the teenagers also attended a prayer vigil held Friday night, June 26, near the scene of the shooting. Simone rebuked the “senseless” killing of her brother and Riley. “These boys were wonderful kids. They did not deserve what happened to them. Senseless. We really appreciate each and every one of you. Please stop this violence! Put the guns down Chicago,” she added.