CHICAGO (TCN) — A 16-year-old and a 17-year-old have been arrested and charged with murder for killing a former police officer who was standing in his front yard.
According to Chicago police, around 11:30 a.m. on June 20, two juveniles walked down the 4300 block of West Monroe Street when they approached 73-year-old Larry Newman and shot him. The police department released surveillance video of the two suspects walking down the alley and asked the public for help identifying them.
On June 23, police arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of first-degree murder. On Friday, June 28, Chicago police announced that they had located and detained a 17-year-old boy in connection with Neuman’s death. Police said the 17-year-old boy was also charged in connection with an armed robbery that occurred in November.
Chicago police described Newman as “a pillar of the community who dedicated his life to protecting and supporting others,” adding that “even after retiring from CPD, he continued his work to create safe spaces for residents and youth.”
WGN-TV reported that the shooting occurred while Newman was paying someone to work on his lawn. When he saw the teenagers approaching with guns, he took out his own gun to protect the worker, but was fatally wounded.
Lazarius Watt, 16, was held at home on suspicion of stealing a car at the time of the shooting. Watt's mother reportedly surrendered him after watching a video identifying the suspect. The teens will reportedly be tried as adults.
Chicago police said Neumann worked as an explosives technician. He was the longest-serving bomb technician in the department's history.
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