A Chicago man who allegedly opened fire on three teenagers was arrested and charged with double homicide on June 26, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Laroy Battle, 19, was arrested for allegedly firing nine rounds at three teenagers in an alley after they asked him how tall he was, killing Jasean Francis, 17, and Charles Riley, 16, according to the Chicago Police Department, local ABC affiliate WLS-TV reported.
“The victims commented, because, since Battle is quite tall, and they asked him how tall he was and, you know, hoped to be that tall someday,” said Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan, Chicago WLS reported. “And unfortunately, obviously we’ll never see the full growth of these poor children.”
Charges have been filed against 19-year-old Laroy Battle in this double homicide. To the community members who stepped forward with information – thank you. Detectives were able to quickly identify Battle, but it was the help we received from the community that led to his arrest. https://t.co/94KgVXgLXz
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) June 26, 2020
Two of the boys were shot in the back, Francis was hit in the chest and left hand, Riley was hit in the left leg, and the third boy was unharmed, Fox reported. Francis and Riley were pronounced dead at the University of Chicago Medical Center upon arrival, WLS-TV reported.
“He was a kid,” said Francis’ aunt Latonya Pettit, WLS reported. Francis “liked video games, snacks. That was his thing. He would walk into this hospital gift shop daily and purchase snacks.”
We’ve received an overwhelming number of tips, leads & info from community members on the double homicide that occurred Saturday, 6/20 in the 7900 block of S. Luella Ave at 5:10 pm. Anyone with info can submit anonymously at https://t.co/biy5KxSzLG.
????️: https://t.co/aWWOUkZLNk pic.twitter.com/0zR7r9zKQ5
— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) June 23, 2020
Community members recognized Battle after police released surveillance video of the incident, Deenihan said, according to WLS. (RELATED: 14 People Including Children Fatally Shot During Chicago’s Most Violent Weekend In 2020)
Battle has three previous arrests, including aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, gambling, criminal damage to property, and possession of cannabis according to the Chicago Police Department.
The Chicago Police Department did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.