According to prosecutors, 17-year-old Javar Woods, shortly after returning home from the Cook County juvenile detention center on May 21, allegedly shot 13-year-old Deantwan McKeever during a car theft attempt involving both teenagers.
McKeever was struck by a single bullet to the forehead and lay in a South Chicago gangway for about 24 minutes before a 911 call was made, officials report. The ShotSpotter technology, deactivated by Mayor Brandon Johnson in September 2024, might have alerted authorities to the gunfire sooner.
McKeever succumbed to his injuries a week after the incident. Woods now faces first-degree murder charges, having been labeled by a judge as a “violent and dangerous person.”
Prosecutors explained that Woods arrived home from juvenile detention just before 1 p.m. on May 21. Shortly after, McKeever and two other boys joined him, and they planned to steal a car on the 8200 block of South Coles Avenue, according to allegations.
Upon reaching the vehicle, McKeever allegedly retrieved a gun from his backpack and handed it to Woods. The other boys served as lookouts during the attempted theft.
At around 2:43 p.m., one lookout reportedly saw Woods in a gangway as McKeever approached. The lookout heard two gunshots and saw McKeever collapse in front of Woods, according to prosecutors. Woods then fled with McKeever’s gun, and he and the lookouts returned to Woods’ residence to change clothes.
Woods allegedly threatened the lookouts, warning them of similar consequences for their families if they spoke to the police. Despite these threats, both boys later cooperated with detectives.
McKeever was transported to Comer Children’s Hospital in critical condition but died a week later.
Judge Luciano Panici Jr. has ordered Woods to remain in custody until his trial. Details of the charges leading to Woods’ initial juvenile detention were not disclosed in court documents.
CWB Chicago reported that following the shooting, the CPD received two calls at approximately 3:07 p.m. from individuals who found McKeever. These callers attempted CPR until paramedics arrived. Surveillance footage later identified two people leaving the scene, who were identified as the lookouts, a source indicated.
Previously, ShotSpotter had alerted CPD to gunfire in instances without 911 calls, assisting officers in locating victims. Despite 67% of aldermen supporting its continuation, Johnson terminated the city’s contract with ShotSpotter. Opposition largely came from aldermen in wards without the technology. Ald. Gregory Mitchell (7th), representing the area of the shooting, was among those advocating for its retention.
The Johnson administration claims to have sought proposals from other gunshot detection companies to replace ShotSpotter, though it has not disclosed reasons for the lack of a new contract.
