COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A South Shore man shot dead last month had been involved in an "ongoing conflict" between two factions of the Black Disciples gang, prosecutors said Friday.
Accused gunman Quinton Gates, 18, appeared in bond court Friday on charges of first-degree murder. Bail was set at $1 million.
Prosecutors said Gates was part of the Mac Block Black Disciples gang, while victim Lamanta Reese was part of the Lowe Life faction. The factions "are involved in an ongoing conflict," Assistant State's Attorney Craig Taczy said.
Reese and several witnesses were sitting on a back porch in the 700 block of Marquette Road about 7:45 p.m. May 23 when Gates walked up carrying a semiautomatic loaded handgun with an extended clip, prosecutors said.
Gates pointed the gun at Reese and opened fire before saying, "F--- Lowe Life," and running off, according to Taczy.
Reese was shot 11 times in his head, groin, shoulder and abdomen, police said. He was rushed to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:29 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
Police recovered eight 9-mm cartridge casings on the scene, Taczy said.
Gates, of the 6500 block of South Green Street, was arrested Wednesday after multiple witnesses identified him as the shooter, officials said.
Cook County Judge Donald Panarese, Jr., on Friday set bail at $1 million.
Reese lived in the 7100 block of South East End Avenue, court records show.
