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No Bail for Woodlawn Man Accused of Opening Fire at 2014 Party

By Erica Demarest | January 27, 2015 5:13pm
 Charles Johnson, 22, was charged with first-degree murder following a fatal November 2014 shooting.
Charles Johnson, 22, was charged with first-degree murder following a fatal November 2014 shooting.
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Chicago Police Department

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A Woodlawn man accused of fatally shooting a man at a November 2014 party was held without bail Tuesday.

Charles Johnson, 22, of the 6400 block of South Ellis Avenue, is charged with first-degree murder following the Nov. 7 attack, which left one man dead and another wounded.

Prosecutors said Johnson was looking for his girlfriend when he headed to a party in the 7300 block of South Blackstone Avenue about 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 7.

A 19-year-old man who'd been smoking outside brought Johnson up to the party in Lydell Lynch's apartment, Assistant State's Attorney Enrique Abraham said in court Tuesday.

At the front door, Johnson pushed past the teen and fired 4-5 shots toward Lynch, 22, who was fatally struck in his chest and side, prosecutors said.

The 19-year-old tried to reach for Johnson's gun, and the pair fell down the stairs in an ensuing struggle, Abraham said. As they tumbled, the gun went off, striking the teen in his shoulder.

Johnson ran away, and a warrant was issued for his arrest later that month. Police said Johnson was picked up in Iowa City, Iowa, on Jan. 13 and extradited to Chicago on Monday.

Prosecutors in court Tuesday said Johnson had known Lynch since they were in grammar school together. Authorities didn't offer a possible motive.

Prosecutors said several witnesses from the party identified Johnson as the shooter.

Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois on Tuesday ordered Johnson held without bail.

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