Accused Orland Mall Shooter Indicted For Murder

ORLAND PARK, IL -- A Cook County grand jury has indicted a 20-year-old man at the center of an investigation into a fatal shooting that happened at Orland Square Mall last month. Jakharr Williams, of Matteson, has been charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. He is being held without bond at the Stateville Correctional Center for violating his parole at the time the shooting occurred.

Williams was initially charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon as the investigation into shooting continued. The evening of Jan. 21, Williams allegedly shot 18-year-old Javon Britton in the chest following an altercation in the food court. Police said that Williams fled the mall and was on the run for three days until he was apprehended trying to board a Metra train in Matteson. At the time of his arrest, Williams was on parole from a three-year sentence for armed robbery.

Britton, a student at Rich Central High School, died of his wounds later that evening at Advocate Christ Medical Center. Another person, who police described as an innocent bystander, suffered a graze wound to the leg. During Williams’ bond hearing on Jan. 25, the Cook County assistant state’s attorney said Britton had gone to Orland Square Mall with his cousin and half-brother. The youths encountered Williams in the food court area, where Williams is said to have fired four shots at Britton after the two got into an alteration. Police said both youths knew each other from high school.

The shooting closed down the mall as shoppers and employees barricaded themselves for several hours in back of stores while hundreds of law enforcement officers combed the mall for the shooter. Orland Park police along with members of the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force continued interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence. Investigators turned over their information to the Cook County State’s Attorney and new charges were filed.

In addition to the murder and attempted murder charges, Williams has been charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and reckless discharge of a firearm. Williams is due back in court Feb. 20 in Bridgeview.