11 Arrested After Shooting-Related Mob Fight In Chicago Heights

CHICAGO HEIGTS, IL — Eleven people have been arrested in connection with a mob-like fight in Chicago Heights Tuesday that broke out after police arrived to assist a woman who had been shot in the leg.

Two juveniles are among those arrested, Chicago Heights police said. Each of the 11 face a mix of charges, from public nuisance to felony mob action.

The massive fight broke out on the streets of Beacon Hill Tuesday afternoon after Chicago Heights police arrived on the scene to help a 26-year-old woman who had been shot. Officers said they arrived at the scene at about 3:20 p.m after residents called to report gunfire. They found Dominique Washington of Chicago Heights with a gunshot wound to her leg. She was taken to Franciscan St. James Medical Center for more treatment.

While police where there searching for the shooter and witnesses, a "large group of individuals" gathered there and many of them began to fight, Police Chief Thomas Rogers said in a statement.

The shooter is still at large.

The people who were arrested and their charges include:

• Two juveniles from Chicago Heights were arrested and charged May 14 with one count of felony mob action. They will be petitioned to the Cook County Juvenile Court and are scheduled to appear in juvenile court in Markham at 9 a.m. June 4.
• On May 15, quasi-criminal complaints were signed for public nuisance against three men, Claude Hawthorne, 32, of Ford Heights; Jarl Irby, 26, of Chicago Heights; and Lanell Willingham, 25, of Lynwood. They are scheduled to appear in court in Markham at 10:30 a.m. June 11.
• Also on May 15, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office charged four people with one count each of felony mob action: Kendall Irby, 25, of Chicago Heights; Jenika McCullor, 24, of Chicago Heights; Dontasia Wells, 18, of Chicago Heights; and Lewis Harper, 19, of Chicago Heights. They were scheduled to appear in court in Markham today for their bond hearings.
• The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office also charged Lavell Robinson, 24, of Chicago Heights with one count of felony mob action, one count of felony criminal damage to government-supported property, and one misdemeanor count of resisting a peace officer. He, too, was scheduled to appear in court in Markham today for a bond hearing.

On Tuesday, police from across several south suburban departments were called to help control the crowd, and they swarmed the 600 block of Andover Street with rifles drawn, followed by an armored vehicle. The dramatic action was captured by news helicopters hovering overhead and by witnesses in the neighborhood.

The Chicago Heights Police Department Detective Division ask that people with information about the incident call them at 708-756-6422.