Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Teen Held Without Bail in Fatal South Chicago Robbery

By  Emily Morris and Erin Meyer | August 28, 2013 7:11am 

 Devon Brunt, 18, of the 9600 block of South Merrill Avenue.
Devon Brunt, 18, of the 9600 block of South Merrill Avenue.
View Full Caption
Chicago Police Department

CHICAGO — An 18-year-old from South Chicago was ordered held without bail in the killing of a 33-year-old man during a robbery on Sunday, police said.

Devon Brunt was charged with first-degree murder. He's accused of shooting Telkia Burns as he was robbing him in the 9100 block of South Commercial Avenue about 3 p.m., authorities said.

Assistant State's Attorney Bridget O'Brien said Burns and another person were hanging out in the vestibule of an apartment building, talking and having a beer, when Brunt came in and got into an argument with Burns.

O'Brien said Brunt, of the 9600 block of South Merrill Avenue, pulled out a handgun and loaded the gun in front of Burns and the other person and then demanded Burns turn over his money, watch and cellphone.

Burns did, but Brunt wasn't satisfied and demanded more money, O'Brien said. Burns then grabbed the gun and started fighting with Brunt, who was able to shoot Burns in his head during the scuffle before running out of the building, O'Brien said.

The witness recognized Brunt from the neighborhood, and later identified him in a lineup, O'Brien said.

Burns, who lived on the same the block, was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital at 4:05 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

Burns was a Navy veteran who worked as a turbine engine mechanic while in the service, Navy spokeswoman Katie Suich said.

O'Brien argued that Brunt should be held without bail, and Cook County Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil agreed Wednesday.

Contributing: Erica Demarest