CHICAGO, Aug. 28 (UPI) — Two brothers, both convicted felons, have been charged in the fatal shooting Friday of the cousin of NBA player Dwyane Wade, police said Sunday.
The fatality is among a dramatic increase of murders in Chicago. Halfway through the year, there have been 315 murders, up almost 50 percent from the same time last year.
“When will enough be enough?” Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said at a Sunday news conference. “How often do we have to stand at a podium like this, demanding from our judicial and policy partners some type of resolution?”
Darwin Sorells, 26, and Derren Sorells, 22, were charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first degree murder in the death of Nykea Aldridge, the Chicago Police Department announced on Twitter.
Aldridge, Wade’s first cousin, was hit by gunfire Friday afternoon as she pushed her 3-week-old daughter on a stroller in Chicago’s south side, police said. The baby was not injured.
Authorities said the brothers targeted a man who dropped off two women from the suburbs at a house in their neighborhood. They targeted him because they could tell he was not from the area, police said. The man escaped unharmed and helped police track down his would-be killers.
“When he comes out to his vehicle now there are two offenders armed with handguns who began chasing him down and attempting to kill him and they miss and kill the female,” Brendan Deenihan, commander of area central detectives for Chicago police, said in the news conference.
Johnson said behavior of those who repeatedly commit crimes doesn’t change despite time in prison.
“Clearly, they don’t think we’re serious,” he said. “Clearly, they don’t think there’s a consequence to their actions. And to be quite honest, we’re showing them that there’s not. If we’re not going to keep you in jail because you choose to use a gun — then what are we doing?”
Both brothers were on parole at the time of the shooting, police said.
Darwin Sorrells served three years in state prison for 2013 convictions of receiving, possessing or selling a stolen vehicle and for unlawful use or possession of a firearm by a felon, according to Illinois Department of Corrections records. He was paroled in early February.
Derren Sorrells served four years in state prison for 2012 convictions of possession of a stolen vehicle and violating electronic monitoring terms. He was paroled Aug. 12, according to the IDOC website. He also is a documented member of the Gangster Disciples gang, according to Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.
Johnson said the men were captured quickly because of cooperation in the community.
“Police officers very rarely witness crime, especially murder or aggravated battery with a firearm,” Johnson said. “We take every death in Chicago seriously, but we need the community’s help to bring these cases to a successful resolution.”
Wade, who was signed by the Chicago Bulls in the offseason, has only commented publicly about the tragedy on Twitter, posting on Saturday: “RIP Nykea Aldridge… #EnoughIsEnough” as well as “The city of Chicago is hurting. We need more help & more hands on deck.”
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump also weighed in on Twitter.
“Dwayne [sic] Wade’s cousin was just shot and killed walking her baby in Chicago. Just what I have been saying. African-Americans will VOTE TRUMP!”
He later added, “My condolences to Dwyane Wade and his family, on the loss of Nykea Aldridge. They are in my thoughts and prayers.”