Teen on Home Confinement Charged with Murder of Retired CPD Officer
Sixteen-year-old Lazarius Watt, who turned himself in over the weekend, has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder for the shooting death of retired Chicago Police Officer Larry Neuman. During a hearing, a Cook County judge described Watt’s alleged actions as “heinous” and deemed him a danger to the entire neighborhood before remanding him … Continued The post Teen on Home Confinement Charged with Murder of Retired CPD Officer appeared first on Chicago Defender.
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Sixteen-year-old Lazarius Watt, who turned himself in over the weekend, has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder for the shooting death of retired Chicago Police Officer Larry Neuman.
During a hearing, a Cook County judge described Watt’s alleged actions as “heinous” and deemed him a danger to the entire neighborhood before remanding him to custody.
Prosecutors said Watt was on home confinement at the time of the murder and violated his electronic monitoring conditions more than six times in the past six months. He was also due to be arraigned in juvenile court on a carjacking charge on Tuesday.
Investigators say that Watt and another gunman approached Neuman outside his West Garfield Park home on Thursday while Neuman was paying someone for mowing his lawn.
The unidentified gunman yelled “freeze” and grabbed Neuman. As Neuman reached for his own gun, the co-defendant shot him. Neuman managed to fire one shot but was hit twice and later died from his injuries at a hospital. The suspects fled the scene.
Detectives noted that Neuman saved the landscaper’s life by pushing him out of the way during the gunfire. Neuman, remembered as a community friend, a part-time pastor, and the longest-serving explosives specialist with the CPD, is being hailed as a hero.
The search for the second teen suspect continues. Many believe Neuman would have tried to help the suspect if given the chance. CPD has released video footage of the two suspects involved in Neuman’s death.
Watt is due back in court next month.
Visitation for Neuman will be from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday at St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church, where he was a member for 30 years and served as a pastor. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Michael.
ABC 7 Chicago contributed to this report.
The post Teen on Home Confinement Charged with Murder of Retired CPD Officer appeared first on Chicago Defender.
