2 people killed, woman stabbed minutes apart on same block on Chicago's Southwest Side
A couple is dead and a woman was seriously injured after a violent crime spree late Sunday night on the same block in Chicago's Gage Park neighborhood.
Chicago police said officers arrived at an apartment building in the 5300 block of South Kedzie Avenue around 10 p.m. Sunday and found the back door open. Inside, they found a 63-year-old man shot in the head and a 64-year-old woman with multiple injuries. They were pronounced dead at the scene.
The woman was identified as Rita Chavez, and the man as Richard M. Romo.
Police believe that shooting was a targeted attack. The office of Ald. Jeylú Gutiérrez (14th) said in a statement that the shooting was a personal quarrel that involved two brothers and one of their wives.
"The couple was always really happy, honestly. They were really good people," said Natalie Guzman, who works at a smoke shop below the building where Chavez and Romo lived. "They were regulars; every morning, they'd be my first couple of customers and it's honestly really sad. You know, they would always greet you, say hello to you. It's devastating to hear this happen to them."
Police scanner traffic suggests officers found the couple in their apartment after 911 calls came in from the bar next door.
CBS News Chicago was told the same suspect in the deadly shooting apparently left the apartment and went straight to the bar, threatened the bouncer, and then went in with his gun and knife.
"They were like he got a gun. He got a knife," a witness told CBS News Chicago. "He started to lunge and do something to hurt somebody in the bar while they were having drinks. Everybody just started going crazy."
Sources said he went into the women's bathroom where he stabbed a woman multiple times before police arrived, used a Taser on him and took him into custody.
The woman was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment and is expected to survive.
Police confirmed a 57-year-old man was taken into custody for both incidents, but did not confirm whether the two incidents were connected.
The suspect was taken to a local hospital after his arrest for treatment and is expected to recover. Charges have not yet been filed.
Ald. Gutiérrez issued this statement Monday evening:
"I am deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred in our community last night. My thoughts and prayers are with the families impacted, and with all those who are feeling the weight of this violence. These moments remind us of the urgent need to come together to grieve, to support one another, and to recommit ourselves to building a safer, more peaceful Gage Park.
"The Chicago Police Department has confirmed that a suspect is in custody. My office will remain in close coordination with CPD and community partners as the investigation continues. We stand with our neighbors during this difficult time, and we will continue working collectively to address violence and ensure the well-being of everyone in our ward."
