A mass shooting over the weekend that left two people dead and seven wounded, including a 4-year-old boy, in south suburban Harvey “wasn’t a random act of violence,” police said Monday.
The attack was the latest incident in a continuing personal dispute between two groups, Harvey Police Deputy Chief Derrick Charles said at a news conference.
“We are confident in our understanding of who is involved and what’s behind it,” Charles said. “That said, innocent people have been hurt, including a young child, and we’re not going to allow this violence to continue.”
On Saturday, a house party was underway in the 14400 block of Des Plaines Street when two people arrived just after 8 p.m. and started shooting. One man at the party, who has a valid concealed carry license, returned fire, killing one of the shooters, according to Harvey officials.
The dead man was identified as 24-year-old Charles Lipsey, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
The other shooter was wounded and taken to a hospital, where he later was stabilized and placed under arrested.
Seven people at the party were wounded, including a 4-year-old boy. As of Monday, they were all in stable condition, police said.
At 4:50 a.m. Sunday, Harvey police responded to a call of shots fired in the 200 block of Calumet Boulevard and found a man in a minivan who had been shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene and identified as Jeremiah R. Astutu-Bofah, 28, the medical examiner’s office said.
Harvey Police Chief Cameron Biddings said investigators believe Astutu-Borah was killed in a “retaliatory act.” He said there was another person in the minivan who was not injured.
“We now know who the bad actors are. These are not random acts of violence or anonymous individuals,” Biddings said. “This violence stems from an ongoing conflict between individuals with a long and disruptive history within our city. We are very familiar with them, and frankly, they have caused harm within our community for far too long.”
Charles said the ongoing conflict between the two groups stemmed from a shooting on Aug. 14, 2018, that left a man and teenage boy dead at 14620 S. Halsted St.
Bryan Harris, 19, and Tejean Hall, 17, were killed in the shoot-out. Harris was the brother of Ryan Harris, an 11-year-old girl who was found raped and murdered in Englewood in 1998.
Biddings said detectives were investigating the latest shootings and working to press charges against those responsible.
“We will not be defined by violence and will not be defined by anyone engaging in acts of violence within our city,” Biddings said. “Together, we will reclaim our peace in the city of Harvey.”