Police probe possible link between 2 deadly shootings hours apart over the weekend in south suburban Harvey

HARVEY, Ill. (WGN) — Police continue to investigate whether two deadly shootings hours apart over the weekend in south suburban Harvey might be related.

In the first incident, seven people were shot — including a suspect who was killed and a 4-year-old boy who was injured — at a house party in the 14400 block of Des Plaines Street around 8 p.m. Saturday, according to Harvey authorities.

Police originally considered that an isolated incident, but just before 5 a.m. Sunday, another fatal shooting happened in the 200 block of Calumet Avenue, where authorities say a man was found dead inside a minivan at the scene.

He was later identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as Jeremiah Adtutubofah, 28, of Chicago.

Police say that shooting might’ve been an act of retaliation related to the earlier house party shooting, but they have not said whether there may be a suspect in the shooting that killed Adtutubofah.

‘Protected their home’

The possibly related shootings started when, according to a Harvey spokesperson, two people arrived at the house party on Des Plaines St. and opened fire on the gathering. Someone at the party with a concealed carry license then returned fire.

One of the suspects was shot and pronounced dead at the scene, and the second suspect was injured and taken to the hospital in stable condition. That suspect is now in police custody, the spokesperson said.

One of the shooting victims was a 4-year-old boy, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was listed in stable condition, according to the spokesperson.

Additionally, four party attendees were shot. All were taken to area hospitals and also listed in stable condition, the spokesperson said.

Terrence Simpkins, who lives in the area, told WGN News “the scene was chaotic.”

“A lot of police, a lot of ambulances, a lot of people laying down on the ground,” Simpkins said. “It was a shame having to see something like that, especially over here, because we don’t have a lot. Nothing happening over here. It was a sad moment for this community here.

“… I guess a couple of guys came by to do something. They ended up getting shot.”

Simpkins said he heard about 30 to 40 gunshots during the incident.

“Regardless of how many gunshots it was, it was one too many,” he said. “One too many for any community.”

A family member, who did not wish to be identified or talk on camera, told WGN a person with a CCL opened fire on the suspects from the home, killing one and sending another to the hospital, which authorities later confirmed.

“That’s the best thing about exercising your rights, having FOID cards and being able to protect your home,” the family member said. “So they protected their home.”

Hours later, a woman who lives near the scene where Adtutubofah was found dead told WGN she heard the shooting.

“It sounded like someone was hitting garbage cans,” the woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said. “I heard at least about 40, 38, I don’t know, a lot of rounds.”

Cook County Commissioner Kisha McCaskill issued a statement on the shootings, saying, in part:

“I am heartbroken and outraged by the senseless acts of violence that took place in our community this weekend. What should have been a peaceful gathering at a home on Des Plaines Street turned into a tragedy that left one person dead, six others wounded — including a 4-year-old child — and a neighborhood shaken to its core. Just hours later, another life was lost on Calumet Boulevard, in what appears to be a retaliatory act.

“My thoughts are with the families of the victims, especially those now tending to the trauma and physical wounds of their loved ones. No child should ever have to experience the terror of gunfire. No parent or resident should ever fear that a community celebration will end in chaos. These victims are our neighbors, our friends, our children.”

Investigators continue to follow up on leads and talk to witnesses about the shootings.