CPD brass went around prosecutors to file charges in double-murder and O’Hare shooting
Chicago police supervisors have recently approved criminal charges in two shooting cases, despite Cook County prosecutors indicating that there was insufficient evidence to support them. According to court records and officials who spoke with CWB Chicago, both cases were dropped by prosecutors as soon as the accused individuals appeared in court for the first time.
The first incident occurred on March 12, 2025, at O’Hare International Airport. Police responded to a call about a fight near the baggage claim carousels at Terminal 2’s door 2A. The altercation escalated outside, with one of the men brandishing a long gun, possibly a mini-AK47-style weapon, and opening fire. Approximately 30 shell casings were found at the scene, with bullets hitting the terminal building, a window, and a hotel shuttle bus. The entire incident was captured by the airport’s surveillance system and went viral on social media.
Antonio Lewis, 26, was charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm toward an occupied vehicle in connection with the O’Hare shooting. However, prosecutors dropped the case at Lewis’s first court appearance on March 9. Lewis was already in custody on multiple other charges, including firing a weapon at another individual in Cicero.
In another case, a double murder occurred in the 2300 block of West Roosevelt Road. The victims, Dennishiana Mattox, 22, and Malik Johnson, 24, were found with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite prosecutors declining to sign off on the case, a CPD commander approved two counts of first-degree murder against the accused individual. The charges were dropped in court the following day.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office confirmed that they had declined to charge both men in these cases due to insufficient evidence. The cases have been referred back to CPD for further investigation.
It is important to note that CPD has been emphasizing its murder clearance rate, but this figure can be misleading as it includes cases closed in the current year, regardless of when the crime occurred. CPD’s clearance rate may be inflated by closing out old cases, giving the appearance of higher success rates.
When asked about the decision to override prosecutors in these cases and whether the department considers them cleared, CPD did not provide a response.
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