Shoot-out that killed 2 part of ongoing gang fight
November 1, 2006
BY ANNIE SWEENEY Crime Reporter
The fighting between two Chicago street gangs that led to Monday's fatal shootings by Chicago Police has been going on for months, creating a serious spike in violence on the West Side, authorities said.
Among the suspected victims of the gang war was a 31-year-old construction worker who was fatally shot in the 1500 block of south Christiana in July while on his way home from work. A 69-year-old woman sitting on her front porch on the block -- temperatures had soared to 90 degrees that day -- also was shot, along with three other men. At the time, police reported that just one of the men was a target.
The war between the New Breeds and the Traveling Vice Lords has led to several shootings in the Ogden and Harrison districts, a source said.
A hit was planned?
"These guys are ruthless out there," the source said. "They're just going after each other. When it comes down to others, they start shooting innocent people."
Investigators believe that three members of the New Breed gang were on their way Monday to execute yet another hit when they turned their guns on officers during a traffic stop at Augusta and Kedzie.
Cop has finger amputated
During the stop by the department's gang intelligence unit, one of the three suspects raised an AK-47 semiautomatic rifle at the officers.
Investigators do not believe the offenders fired any shots, but Chicago Police fired several rounds after the assault weapon was pointed at them.
Marcus Thomas, 21, of the 3400 block of Douglas, and William Tyler, 23, of the 170 block of North Leclair, were killed.
A third man was injured and remained at Mount Sinai Hospital on Tuesday.
A 39-year-old police officer was shot in the hand during the incident. He was released from Mount Sinai Hospital after having his finger amputated, Chicago Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said.
An AK-47 and a handgun were recovered from car. The suspects were wearing latex gloves, probably to keep gunshot residue off their hands and to keep their fingerprints off the weapons, a second source said.
Bond said the shooting was reviewed Tuesday and found to be within department guidelines after more than a dozen witnesses gave statements. The Office of Professional Standards also is investigating.
Thomas has a history of felony drug convictions, according to court records. Tyler also has a history of drug arrests, police said.












