CHICAGO — A person of interest in the Tyshawn Lee case fears for his safety, his attorney said.
The man, who was arrested last week for a gun charge, was in protective custody while he was in jail, said his attorney, Jeff Kent. On Wednesday, the man's bail was set at $1 million. He posted 10 percent — or $100,000 — and was released.
Now the man and his family are fearful for his safety, Kent said, and the man's been labeled "enemy No. 1 to a whole bunch of people" because he's been investigated in the Tyshawn case. Tyshawn, a 9-year-old boy, was targeted, lured into an alley and executed on Nov. 2, police have said. The person of interest has not faced charges related to the boy's death.
But Kent said Tyshawn's family is "directed toward" his client due to the investigations. Police have said the boy was killed due to gang ties maintained by the boy's father, Pierre Stokes, and Supt. Garry McCarthy said there was an ongoing gang feud that led to Lee's death. Stokes has said he gave up gangbanging for his son and told DNAinfo Chicago he wants justice, not revenge.
Still, Kent said his client's family is worried.
"He's the lightning rod on this for that 9-year-old boy, that's where it seems to be a lot of the community anger," Kent said.
The man has been investigated and released by police "a couple times" in the Tyshawn case, Kent said. Kent said his client has denied all involvement in the boy's death.
Police "kind of have the pressure of the whole city trying to find out who executed this poor boy," Kent said.
DNAinfo Chicago has not named the person of interest because he has not been charged in the Tyshawn Lee case.
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