CHICAGO — An 18-year-old man was charged Saturday in the murder of Jaslyn Adams, the 7-year-old slain while with her father in a McDonald’s drive-thru.
Marion Lewis was charged with one count of first degree murder along with 16 other felonies including vehicular hijacking, attempted murder, aggravated assault of a peace officer and several gun charges, officials said.
Speaking at a press conference Saturday, Chicago Police Supt. David Brown said Lewis “was being charged in connection of the murder” but would not specify if he was the person who pulled the trigger. He did say the investigation is ongoing and that police believe others were involved.
“We’re limited in what we can say because we have other offenders to bring in on this horrific crime,” Brown said.
“We’re not done, there’s more offenders to bring to justice,” he said. “You can run, but you can’t hide. We are going to bring you to justice for this crime. The Adams family deserves nothing less.”
Jaslyn and her father were shot April 18 while sitting in their car at the McDonald’s drive-thru in the 3200 block of West Roosevelt Road in Homan Square. Adams was taken to Stroger Hospital, where she died.
The 7-year-old’s family described Adams as a sweet, lovable and free-spirited girl who loved to play games. She was the youngest of four and was nicknamed Pinky because she had pinkish skin as a baby.
Joslyn’s father, Jontae Adams, was also shot in the incident but has since been released from the hospital.
At about 4 p.m. Thursday, Lewis, who was under surveillance by Chicago Police, drove from a western suburb onto the Eisenhower Expressway.
Lewis was driving east on the Eisenhower near Mannheim Road when police tried to stop him but crashed his car on the shoulder while attempting to flee, Brown said. He then tried to carjack a family driving in the same direction but police shot him, Brown said.
Brown said two guns were recovered from the suspect but would not say if the man pointed a gun at anyone.
“That’s yet to be determined by an investigation. As you know, [the Civilian Office of Police Accountability] does all administrative investigations of any police-involved shootings, and that’s yet to be determined,” Brown said.
A police source told Block Club one of the guns found with the man was an AK-47 assault rifle.
Illinois State Trooper Gabriela Ugarte said Friday that after Lewis crashed his car, he got out and fired at Chicago Police officers before being shot in the arm by police.
Lewis is scheduled to appear in Bond Court on Sunday.
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoSubscribe to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods.
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