The hold-up crew that savagely shot a man during a robbery in Lincoln Park on Friday also fired shots at a robbery victim in the neighborhood on Wednesday evening — but those bullets missed. The new information comes from a Chicago Police Department report provided to CWBChicago.
There have been several developments since we released video of Friday’s shooting in which an armed man ambushed 23-year-old Dakotah Earley around 3:05 a.m. on the corner of Webster and Wayne. Here’s the rundown.
Victim identified
Contrary to reports, police knew Earley’s identity within moments of arriving at the shooting scene. Last night, a man who identifies himself as Earley’s brother established a GoFundMe to offset medical bills and travel expenses for Earley’s family, who all live out of town.
“My brother is a 23 year old culinary art student, who deserved so much more than this. He is a gentle giant and would’ve given the shirt off his back to anyone in need,” DaShawn Earley wrote.
“As a family, we are asking if you are able and willing, please donate or send prayers. Anything is appreciated at this time as this has rocked our world.”
“Thank you in advance and please pray for Dakotah.”
Dakotah underwent two surgeries by noon Friday.
“My brother is currently in critical condition and is in the fight for his life,” DaShawn Earley said in the GoFundMe story.
Shots fired in another robbery
CWB reported yesterday morning that investigators believed the crew that robbed Earley pulled off a two night robbery spree in Lakeview and Lincoln Park. Friday evening, police released a community alert describing the crime pattern.
According to an internal CPD report, the robbery crew shot at another robbery victim on the 2600 block of North Bosworth around 10:50 p.m. Wednesday., but missed.
In the Bosworth robbery, a 30-year-old man reported that three masked men confronted him at gunpoint after they emerged from a car, police spokesperson Kellie Bartoli said Friday morning. They demanded the man’s property. When he refused, one of them hit him in the head with a pistol, according to Bartoli. They fled when he refused to cooperate a second time.
Police did not tell the public that the robbers shot at the victim as he ran away. But that information is contained in a CPD detective crime analysis report.
“Offender(s) discharged their firearm(s) in the direction of the victim as victim was fleeing,” the report says in a section describing the robbers’ method of operation.
The crew uses “semi-automatic pistols with extended magazines and laser/strobe sights,” the report continues.
Car recovered
Investigators also believe they found the car that the robbers used to escape after shooting Earley. It was on the 1500 block of South Drake in Lawndale around 9:30 a.m. Friday. The crew took the vehicle from a robbery victim in Lakeview on Wednesday night, a local alderman said.
But the internal report says two victims reported that the robbers have used at least one other car during the crime wave.
Crime pattern detailed
Police linked eight robberies to the team in a community alert Friday evening:
- on the 2900 block of North Clark at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday. Three men stepped out of a silver four-door sedan and confronted two men, ages 23 and 33, who were walking nearby. Two of the offenders displayed guns while the third took items from the victims’ pockets, including a set of car keys, said Bartoli, the CPD spokesperson. The younger victim reported that the crew also stole his white BMW sedan, which was parked on the 2900 block of North Halsted.
- the North Bosworth robbery described above at 10:50 p.m. Wednesday.
- on the 1100 block of West Wellington at 11 p.m. Wednesday.
- on the 3000 block of North Racine at 10 p.m. Thursday. A 22-year-old woman told police she was walking when a man wearing a yellow hoodie and surgical mask approached her from behind, according to Bartoli. He displayed a gun, took her property, and fled west on Barry Avenue in a white sedan that was waiting with two other people inside, Bartoli said. Police have determined that the getaway car is the white 2018 BMW robbers took the night before, a source said.
- on the 2600 block of North Racine at 10:26 p.m. Thursday. A 23-year-old man told police that a robber confronted him at gunpoint as he walked down the street.
- on the 700 block of West Aldine at 12:30 a.m. Friday. A 30-year-old man said two masked men stepped out of a black sedan and demanded his property at gunpoint as he was walking. One offender punched him in the face when he started screaming, Bartoli said. He ran away, and the offenders escaped without getting anything.
- on the 1100 block of West Fullerton at 3 a.m. Friday. A DePaul University student was walking when a white sedan pulled up and a gunman emerged from the passenger seat to demand his property, according to a safety bulletin from the school.
- the robbery and shooting of Earley on the 1300 block of West Webster at 3:05 a.m. Friday.
The suspects are Black males between 16- and 30-years-old who wear ski masks, the alert said.
You can provide information about the crimes to Area Three detectives at 312-744-8263. Refer to crime pattern P22-3-032.
Aldermen speak out
Three aldermen who represent parts of Lincoln Park spoke out about Earley’s shooting Friday.
Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) whose ward includes the shooting scene, led the charge in an email to his constituents.
“This lawlessness has to be stopped!” Hopkins declared.
“No neighborhood is immune to this criminal behavior,” he continued. “I have discussed the immediate need for additional tactical teams and patrols in the Lincoln Park area with the Chicago Police Department.”
Scott Waguespack (32nd) also addressed Friday’s shooting in his weekly newsletter.
“This is a heinous crime that should have the maximum penalties charged, with no downgrade of charges, when the police apprehend these criminals,” Waguespack said.
“The 19th District Commander Amin Jessani has informed us he has additional mission teams working the area this weekend.”
Also speaking out was Ald. Michele Smith (43rd).
“I ask you to keep the victims of these crimes in your hearts,” Smith said in email to constituents. “We thank every citizen for their help in this investigation. Working together, we will fight this scourge in our community.”
Previous coverage
- Man, 23, critically wounded in Lincoln Park shooting (May 6, 2022)
- Video: Armed robber shoots man 3x in Lincoln Park after demanding phone password (May 6, 2022)
- 2 nights of armed robberies across Lakeview and Lincoln Park ends with victim critically injured by gunman (May 6, 2022)
- ‘This lawlessness has to be stopped!’ Alderman demands action after a man is shot, gravely wounded during North Side robbery spree (May 6, 2022)
- Lincoln Park shooting, robbery victim is identified in GoFundMe campaign (May 6, 2022)