CHICAGO, IL - A second person has been charged in the tragic murder of Larry Neuman, a 73-year-old retired police officer and respected community member, on Chicago's West Side.
The suspect, a 17-year-old male, was arrested on Thursday on East 75th Street. He is charged with first-degree murder and murder with a strong probability of causing death or injury.
Authorities have not disclosed his name, and it remains uncertain at this time whether he will be prosecuted as an adult.
This arrest occurred on the same day as Neuman's wake. Just days earlier, Lazarius Watt, a 16-year-old, turned himself in and was charged as an adult with first-degree murder. He is currently detained and awaits a preliminary hearing on July 16 in Violence Court.
Neuman was shot around 11:30 a.m. on June 20 in the 4300 block of West Monroe Street, in the West Garfield Park area. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots.
During the incident, Neuman, who was mowing his lawn with a worker, was approached by two armed individuals wearing ski masks. One of the assailants ordered Neuman to "freeze" before reaching for him. In an attempt to defend himself, Neuman reached for his own gun but was shot multiple times, including in the chest and leg. Despite firing a single round, he succumbed to his injuries.
Larry Neuman was a U.S. Marine and a Vietnam War veteran. He served 28 years as an explosives technician with the Chicago Police Department, becoming the longest-serving member in that role upon his retirement. Beyond his police work, Neuman was a pastor dedicated to addressing violence in Chicago's neighborhoods, often working with young people to foster safer communities.
"Rev knew lots of people in this community, so there weren't many strangers there," Alderman Jason Ervin said. "But again, we're all mourning that loss, and again that's a hole in a heart that's hard to fill—and a hole in the community that will be equally as difficult to fill."
His wake took place at Saint Michael's Missionary Baptist Church, with his funeral scheduled for Saturday. Community members, including Alderman Jason Ervin, gathered to honor Neuman's legacy, describing the significant impact he had on their lives and the profound loss his death represents.
It's a tough time," Ervin said, "to lose the patriarch of the family you got children, grandchildren, a wife, and unexpectedly—it's difficult."
The 17-year-old suspect also faces charges related to an armed robbery of a 21-year-old man back in November. He is set to appear at a detention hearing on Saturday.
Mourners, including friends, family, and members of the Chicago Police Department, remembered Neuman fondly. Alderman Ervin emphasized the difficulty of losing such a vital community figure, acknowledging the lasting hole Neuman's death leaves in the community. He highlighted Neuman's unique role as both a retired officer and a reverend, noting his long-standing friendships and influence in West Garfield Park.
Neuman's contributions to his community, both through his church and his outreach efforts, were celebrated, with commitments from those gathered to continue his work. They pledged to honor his legacy by upholding the values he championed, ensuring his impact endures beyond his passing.
"We have to honor his legacy. And we will continue to do that beyond tomorrow," Ervin said. "The work that he did in the community, the work his church did in the community—so we'll continue to honor that legacy that he's left."
The suspect, a 17-year-old male, was arrested on Thursday on East 75th Street. He is charged with first-degree murder and murder with a strong probability of causing death or injury.
Authorities have not disclosed his name, and it remains uncertain at this time whether he will be prosecuted as an adult.
This arrest occurred on the same day as Neuman's wake. Just days earlier, Lazarius Watt, a 16-year-old, turned himself in and was charged as an adult with first-degree murder. He is currently detained and awaits a preliminary hearing on July 16 in Violence Court.
Neuman was shot around 11:30 a.m. on June 20 in the 4300 block of West Monroe Street, in the West Garfield Park area. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots.
During the incident, Neuman, who was mowing his lawn with a worker, was approached by two armed individuals wearing ski masks. One of the assailants ordered Neuman to "freeze" before reaching for him. In an attempt to defend himself, Neuman reached for his own gun but was shot multiple times, including in the chest and leg. Despite firing a single round, he succumbed to his injuries.
Larry Neuman was a U.S. Marine and a Vietnam War veteran. He served 28 years as an explosives technician with the Chicago Police Department, becoming the longest-serving member in that role upon his retirement. Beyond his police work, Neuman was a pastor dedicated to addressing violence in Chicago's neighborhoods, often working with young people to foster safer communities.
"Rev knew lots of people in this community, so there weren't many strangers there," Alderman Jason Ervin said. "But again, we're all mourning that loss, and again that's a hole in a heart that's hard to fill—and a hole in the community that will be equally as difficult to fill."
His wake took place at Saint Michael's Missionary Baptist Church, with his funeral scheduled for Saturday. Community members, including Alderman Jason Ervin, gathered to honor Neuman's legacy, describing the significant impact he had on their lives and the profound loss his death represents.
It's a tough time," Ervin said, "to lose the patriarch of the family you got children, grandchildren, a wife, and unexpectedly—it's difficult."
The 17-year-old suspect also faces charges related to an armed robbery of a 21-year-old man back in November. He is set to appear at a detention hearing on Saturday.
Mourners, including friends, family, and members of the Chicago Police Department, remembered Neuman fondly. Alderman Ervin emphasized the difficulty of losing such a vital community figure, acknowledging the lasting hole Neuman's death leaves in the community. He highlighted Neuman's unique role as both a retired officer and a reverend, noting his long-standing friendships and influence in West Garfield Park.
Neuman's contributions to his community, both through his church and his outreach efforts, were celebrated, with commitments from those gathered to continue his work. They pledged to honor his legacy by upholding the values he championed, ensuring his impact endures beyond his passing.
"We have to honor his legacy. And we will continue to do that beyond tomorrow," Ervin said. "The work that he did in the community, the work his church did in the community—so we'll continue to honor that legacy that he's left."
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