A 17-year-old south suburban teenager, known as “4 Block Lil Mari,” is currently in jail after being accused of shooting a woman during a failed carjacking in South Shore. Kamari Bonslater, from Steger, was already on pretrial release for possession of a machine gun and a stolen vehicle when the incident occurred.
The carjacking took place on September 7 in the 6700 block of South Cregier. Initially, Chicago police believed it was a drive-by shooting that left a 16-year-old boy critically injured and a 34-year-old woman shot in the leg. However, it was later revealed that Bonslater was the critically wounded teen involved in the incident.
According to prosecutors, the victim and her companion were sitting in a parked car when multiple individuals approached them. Bonslater attempted to open the passenger door while pointing a gun at the women. The victim, who was a licensed concealed carry holder, retrieved her own firearm, leading Bonslater to shoot her in the leg before she fired back, hitting him multiple times. She then drove away from the scene.
The victim’s companion identified Bonslater as a local rapper with the stage name “4 Block Lil Mari.” Surveillance footage captured Bonslater near the victim’s car when the shots were fired, and he was seen collapsing as the car sped away. Several accomplices were also seen carrying him into an alley, with at least two of them firing at the fleeing vehicle.
Bonslater, who has a tattoo of the word “Murda” on his neck, is facing charges of attempted second-degree murder, attempted vehicular hijacking, and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon. Judge Susana Ortiz has ordered him to be detained pending trial.
This incident adds to the growing number of individuals charged with violent offenses while on felony pretrial release in Chicago. Bonslater is the 20th person this year to be involved in a killing or attempted killing while awaiting trial. The “not horrible” series by CWBChicago highlights such cases, shedding light on the consequences of bond reform initiatives.
In conclusion, the case of Kamari Bonslater, aka “4 Block Lil Mari,” serves as a reminder of the risks posed by individuals involved in violent crimes while on pretrial release. The judicial system’s ability to address these challenges and ensure public safety remains a critical concern.
