A Chicago man has been charged with a string of violent crimes, including murder and armed robbery, according to a press release from the Chicago Police Department. Ortez Owens, 35, of the 1100 block of N. Laramie Ave., was apprehended last Sunday evening after allegedly engaging in a lethal shooting and robbery earlier that day.
The incident that led to Owens' arrest took place in the 5000 block of W. Maypole Ave., where he is accused of having fatally shot an 18-year-old male and having also injured another 18-year-old in what appeared to be a robbery turned violent. The charges against Owens include one count of first-degree murder, three counts of attempted first-degree murder, as well as counts for armed robbery with a firearm and other forcible felonies. Owens was taken into custody and is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing today.
Details about the circumstances surrounding the incident are still emerging, and the CPD has not released further information at this time. The charges are serious, with the potential for life-altering consequences for Owens if convicted. The first-degree murder charge alone implicates a premeditated intent to kill, suggesting a gravity to the crimes that may see Owens face severe legal repercussions.
Owens' detention hearing will take place at the courthouse located at 2600 S. California. The community, still reeling from the violent act that precipitated his arrest, may to begin to seek closure as the wheels of justice turn. The 18-year-old victim's name has not been released, and the condition of the injured individual remains unknown.
