The heinous crime spree that shocked Chicago on February 11 has left the city reeling as details of the events unfold. Marquese Hill, 18, and Marshawn Sanders, 17, are accused of embarking on a violent rampage that resulted in the deaths of two men and multiple carjackings in the early hours of that fateful day.
Prosecutors have pieced together a timeline of events using surveillance footage from CTA stations, businesses, and city cameras. The duo, along with a third individual who has not been charged, traveled from the South Side to Boystown before unleashing their violent spree.
The night began innocuously enough, with the trio leaving an apartment building on West 79th Street at 1:47 a.m. They boarded a bus and then the CTA Red Line, making their way to Belmont. Cameras captured their movements through Lakeview, where they eventually targeted their first victim.
Darwin Tirado, 22, and his companion were leaving a bar in Lakeview when Hill and Sanders approached them, demanding wallets and keys. A shot was fired, fatally striking Tirado, and the pair fled in the companion’s Hyundai Sonata.
The stolen Hyundai was later tracked to the South Side, where the duo targeted Damon Kellum, 45, in a fatal carjacking. The violence continued as they attempted to hijack a Lexus SUV at a gas station and then a Chevrolet Malibu at a red light.
Days after the killings, Hill was arrested for shoplifting, with evidence linking him to the crime spree. Sanders was also apprehended, with his cellphone placing him at the scenes of the murders and carjackings.
The pair has been charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder, carjacking, and armed robbery. The case has shocked the community and raised questions about the criminal justice system, particularly in light of Hill’s previous arrest for carjacking and drug possession.
As the city grapples with the aftermath of this senseless violence, the victims’ families seek justice for their loved ones. The investigation continues as authorities work to bring closure to the affected communities.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of violent crime and the importance of vigilance in keeping our communities safe.
