A nationwide manhunt is in full effect for a Chicago man, Lander D. Coleman, 43, in connection to a horrific triple shooting in suburban Matteson that left a young mother and her two children wound-inflicted—one of them being under 18, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. During the early hours of May 18, police were summoned to the grim scene following a distress call about a home invasion. The children, who sustained gunshot injuries in the chaotic encounter, have since been discharged from the hospital. Their mother, however, remains hospitalized after suffering seven gunshots.
According to CBS, the suspect, identified as the ex-boyfriend of the mother and father of the children, is regarded as a dangerous individual with the public's safety at stake. The Matteson police, with assistance from state and federal authorities, are urging anyone with information on Coleman's whereabouts to come forward. The residence, desecrated by blood and riddled with bullets, serves as a stark reminder of the violence that transpired. One of the young victims, during the terrifying event, heroically attempted to save their mother from the attacker, only to be shot twice by the assailant himself.
Graphic evidence collected from the scene, including a chilling recording of Coleman exiting with what seems to be a weapon, accentuates the urgency of the manhunt. As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, the FBI is now involved in the search for Coleman. An order of protection against him, dated back to March, was revealed amidst the ongoing investigation.
The attack, as per a CBS interview with the family, likely occurred after Coleman hid within the premises during a prom party held at the family's home, waiting hours before emerging violently. The family has generously opened their wounded home to the public eye, hoping the exposure will aid in Coleman's capture. They’ve also expressed their immense distress and fear for their safety as long as Coleman remains free. "How could you do that to a child?" Steven Booth, a family member, told CBS. "You know, how could you do that to your children's mother?"
Those in the vicinity of Matteson or with information pertinent to the case are encouraged to reach out to the Matteson Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division at 708-503-3130. The local community has been mobilized to provide support in the form of domestic violence resources, such as the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline and the National Domestic Violence Hotline, whose numbers are 877-863-6338 and 800-799-7233, respectively. Furthermore, for creating a safety plan, The Network, a group supporting domestic violence victims, has assembled a toolkit, while guidance on protection orders can be sought from the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County's Office.
