Second suspect charged in murder of retired Chicago police officer – NBC Chicago

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Authorities said a second suspect has been arrested in connection with the killing of 73-year-old retired Chicago police officer Larry Neuman.

Police said a 17-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Neuman’s slaying in West Garfield Park earlier this month.

According to officers, the suspect was arrested Thursday in the 2400 block of East 75th Street.

Additionally, the suspect was charged with an armed robbery that occurred in November 2023, also in West Garfield Park. He is scheduled to appear in court on Saturday on bail.

Neuman was shot and killed near his home in the 4300 block of West Monroe Street shortly after he paid a man to help him mow his lawn.

Neuman saw the two suspects putting on ski masks and reached for his own gun when he was shot multiple times, managing to fire one shot.

Neuman collapsed and was taken to hospital with gunshot wounds to the chest and leg, but died a short time later.

Fees are collected in connection with Neuman’s scheduled visitations and funerals on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Police have arrested both suspects in Neuman’s murder. The suspect, 16-year-old Lazarius Watt, appeared in court this week after turning himself in to police on the evening of June 23, three days after the murder.

Watt appeared in court Tuesday after NBC Chicago reporter Charlie Wojciechowski reported that Watt was under house arrest at the time of the murder and had violated electronic monitoring rules seven times six months earlier.

According to Wojciechowski, before the murder, court documents showed that the teenager was to be brought before a juvenile court on Tuesday in connection with car theft.

During his appearance Tuesday, the judge deemed Watt a danger to the community and ordered him detained. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 16.

The hearing comes a day after a news conference at which Chicago Police Inspector Larry Snelling announced that a teenager had been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Neuman’s killing.

CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling, Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx have released new details about the murder of former Officer Larry Neuman in Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood.

Chief Detective Antoinette Ursitti thanked the public for their help in bringing the suspected killer to justice, explaining that many people came forward with the teenager’s name after police released surveillance footage last week.

“Social Services in this case played an instrumental role in the investigation,” Ursitti said. “The evidence they provided helped detectives quickly bring charges against the 16-year-old offender.”

Police said an officer assigned to Area Four Priority Response Team also recognised the offender from a previous encounter in May, during which he was wearing the same clothing.

Neuman, who was the longest-serving explosives specialist in the history of the Chicago Police Department, most recently worked as a TSA explosives technician at Midway International Airport, where he passed on his knowledge to younger generations.

The veteran police officer was a longtime resident of West Garfield Park, where he was active in a neighborhood community that loved him, Snelling said.

“He still lived in the community when he didn’t have to,” the police commissioner said. “But that showed how much he cared about the people who lived in that area.”

On Sunday, a group of community members, local leaders and officers honored Neuman with a march and vigil.

Although Neuman spent his professional life protecting others, Neuman worked tirelessly to bring peace to the West Garfield Park neighborhood and showed young people that “there’s a better way.” Snelling recalled a recent conversation with the Rev. Paul Simms of St. Michael’s Missionary Baptist Church, where Neuman served as pastor.

“And he said Larry would do everything in his power to get to these two young men who were responsible for his murder,” Snelling said. “Larry’s life was taken by the same people he dedicated his life to.”

While an arrest and charges in this case won’t bring Neuman back, police hope it will help bring justice to his family – and protect others from what happened to them.

Dozens of people took part in a march Sunday in the West Garfield Park neighborhood to honor retired police officer Larry Neuman, who was shot and killed days earlier. NBC Chicago’s Lexi Sutter reports.

“So we will continue Larry’s mission,” Snelling said. “We will continue to honor Larry and others in each community who have stepped up and tried to do everything they can to improve these communities.”