Newly released video shows a reputed gang member charged in the slaying of 11-year-old Takiya Holmes being beaten by another man in custody in a holding area in a Cook County courthouse.
The seven-second surveillance video, obtained by the Chicago Tribune from the sheriff’s department, shows Antwan Jones, 19, being punched repeatedly in a back office before his bond appearance Wednesday at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
The alleged attacker, identified by the sheriff’s office as Renard Williams, 24, was in the courthouse appearing on his own murder charge. He has been held in the county jail since August on additional charges, records show.
Police and prosecutors have alleged that Jones opened fire at rivals selling marijuana on his gang’s turf, but an errant bullet mortally wounded Takiya, one of three children fatally shot in Chicago since Saturday.
Third child dies from a shooting in Chicago in just two days Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas, Jason Meisner and Gregory Pratt
Kanari Gentry-Bowers’ family was determined not to let her go.
As the 12-year-old lay unconscious for days in a hospital bed, a bullet wound to her spine, they read to her: notes from friends, a homemade Valentine’s Day card from a boy Kanari liked, a school banner her principal brought over that…
Kanari Gentry-Bowers’ family was determined not to let her go.
As the 12-year-old lay unconscious for days in a hospital bed, a bullet wound to her spine, they read to her: notes from friends, a homemade Valentine’s Day card from a boy Kanari liked, a school banner her principal brought over that…
(Katherine Rosenberg-Douglas, Jason Meisner and Gregory Pratt)
Sheriff’s officials said Jones has been placed in protective custody at the jail but denied it was because of the attack on him. Cara Smith, chief policy officer for Sheriff Tom Dart, who runs the jail, said it’s not uncommon for defendants in high-profile criminal cases to be placed in protective custody for their own safety and "for the stability of the jail."
In the video, Jones was sitting in a chair with his left wrist handcuffed to another chair. Clad in a maroon jacket with a faux-fur-lined hood, dark pants and tan boots, he appeared to be asleep.
Williams, dressed in tan jail scrubs, can be seen on the video walking up to Jones and landing a right hook to his face. He had no restraints on because he had just appeared in bond court, Smith said.
Police: Suspect shot at 3 gang rivals, killing 11-year-old Takiya Holmes instead Jason Meisner, Jeremy Gorner, Elvia Malagon and William Lee
Antwan C. Jones was walking down the street Saturday evening when he spotted three gang rivals selling pot in Black Disciples territory and opened fire from across King Drive, according to police and prosecutors.
As happens too often in Chicago, Jones missed his target and instead wounded 11-year-old…
Antwan C. Jones was walking down the street Saturday evening when he spotted three gang rivals selling pot in Black Disciples territory and opened fire from across King Drive, according to police and prosecutors.
As happens too often in Chicago, Jones missed his target and instead wounded 11-year-old…
(Jason Meisner, Jeremy Gorner, Elvia Malagon and William Lee)
The impact of the punch caused Jones’ chair to shake. Williams then pummeled Jones with several additional punches as a startled sheriff’s employee moved out of the way.
A male court deputy who suddenly appeared on the video from behind Williams then grabbed him around his waist. Williams was able to throw a couple more punches before the deputy pulled him away from Jones.
The video contains no sound.
Smith didn’t know if Williams knew Jones or if he was aware of the charges against him for Takiya’s slaying.
Recent shootings illustrate how quickly innocent children can become victims in some of the city’s most gang-infested neighborhoods.
Jones, who declined medical attention, refused to press criminal charges against Williams, according to Smith.
Sheriff’s officials issued Williams a "disciplinary ticket." It could restrict his access to the jail commissary or other comparable penalties, Smith said.
After the attack, Jones, an alleged member of the O-Block faction of the Black Disciples gang, was ordered held without bond during his bond hearing.
He is charged with opening fire multiple times with a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine at three rivals from the other side of busy King Drive. Takiya’s family had just pulled up in a minivan, and one bullet entered the rear passenger window, striking the fifth-grader in the right temple.
Police recovered 12 shell casings at the scene.
Williams, who is housed in Division 9, a maximum-security wing of the jail, has been in custody since last August, when he was charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer and domestic battery, court records show.
Takiya Holmes murder suspect denied bond
Activist Andrew Holmes says community pressure led to the arrest of Antwan Jones, who is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 11-year-old Takiya Holmes, a relative of Andrew Holmes. Holmes speaks at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on Feb. 15, 2017. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
Activist Andrew Holmes says community pressure led to the arrest of Antwan Jones, who is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 11-year-old Takiya Holmes, a relative of Andrew Holmes. Holmes speaks at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on Feb. 15, 2017. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
See more videos
But last month, Williams was charged with first-degree murder for the June 2016 fatal shooting of 35-year-old Antoine Randle, according to the records. The slaying occurred in the 4900 block of West Huron Street in the West Side’s Austin community.
Williams was originally being held in the jail on $75,000 bond, but his bail was raised to $1 million after he was charged for the murder.
In his six months in jail, Williams has been involved in several incidents of misconduct, including fighting, according to Smith.
jgorner@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @JeremyGorner
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
