16-year-old boy charged in triple murder, robbery in Chatham
Teen Charged in Chatham Shooting and Robbery Case
A recent development in the Chatham neighborhood shooting and robbery case has led to a 16-year-old boy being charged with participating in the incident that resulted in three deaths and one injury. The identity of the teenager has not been revealed as he is expected to face prosecution as a juvenile.
New details of the case emerged during a detention hearing for the first individual charged in the case, 18-year-old Antonio Velasco. According to prosecutors, the tragic event unfolded on February 25, 2024, when four individuals gathered in a bedroom at a residence on South Vincennes Avenue. The group consisted of the 16-year-old boy, 14-year-old Amere Deese, 36-year-old Randy Graham, and 20-year-old Ladeverette West Ringgold.
Prosecutors revealed that the group had been handling a rifle in the bedroom for several hours before placing it behind a television. Later in the evening, Velasco and his 13-year-old brother arrived at the scene and joined the group, engaging in marijuana use together.
At a certain point, Velasco reportedly left the room and returned with a handgun equipped with an extended ammunition magazine. Allegedly instructing his younger brother to retrieve the hidden rifle, Velasco proceeded to shoot the other four individuals in the room, resulting in the deaths of Deese, Graham, and Ringgold. The 16-year-old boy sustained a gunshot wound to the leg but survived the ordeal.
Following the shooting, Velasco took back the rifle from his brother, and the two fled the scene together. Three witnesses identified Velasco during the detention hearing. Judge Carol Howard is set to review Velasco’s detention status on July 23.
The 16-year-old boy now faces charges including three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of murder during the commission of a forcible felony, attempted first-degree murder, and armed robbery in connection to the tragic incident.
For more exclusive coverage, kindly consider supporting our work by clicking here.
