Second Suspect Charged In Murder Of Retired CFD Lt. Dwain Williams, Slain In Morgan Park Carjacking

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A second teenager has been charged with murder in the shooting death of retired Chicago Fire Department Lt. Dwain Williams, who was killed in a carjacking two weeks ago in Morgan Park.

Dwain Johnson, 18, is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated attempted vehicular hijacking, and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon. He is being held without bail at Cook County Jail.

Dwain Johnson is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of retired Chicago Fire Department Lt. Dwain Williams, who was killed in a carjacking on Dec. 3, 2020. (Credit: Chicago Police)

Police said Johnson was arrested Wednesday afternoon in south suburban Oak Forest, after he was identified as one of the four people who tried to steal Williams' car at gunpoint on Dec. 3. Chicago Police Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan have said the four were a crew responsible for a string of carjackings on the South Side and south suburbs.

On Thursday, a 15-year-old boy was charged as a juvenile with first-degree murder and armed robbery for his role in the killing. His name is not being released because he is a juvenile.

Police have said, around 2 p.m. on Dec 3, Williams, 65, was leaving the Let's Get Poppin popcorn store at 11758 S. Western Ave. and was walking to his vehicle, when a four-door dark-colored sedan pulled up and four males got out and bum rushed him.

Lt. Dwain Williams (Credit: Chicago Fire Department)

The carjackers fired at Williams, and Williams returned fire. Williams was shot in the abdomen and was later pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

Last week, police released surveillance video showing Williams' attackers storming out of another car as Williams walks up to his own. An exchange of gunfire follows.

Homicide | 11700 block of south Western Ave |12/03/2020 |JD448552 by Chicago Police on YouTube

Three of the suspects are shown on the video, while the fourth was behind the wheel of the other stolen car, police said.

Two of the suspects seen in the video were wearing black pants, black hooded jackets and white gym shoes, and the third was wearing a blue hooded jacket, blue pants, and also white gym shoes.

Police said the stolen car in which the suspects pulled up, a Ford Fusion, was recovered in Tinley Park.

Chicago Police Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan said evidence from that car helped police obtain arrest warrants for Johnson and the 15-year-old. Detectives are still searching for two other suspects.

Police also have recovered a gun in the case and are conducting forensic tests to determine if it's the murder weapon.

Anyone with information was asked to call Area Two detectives at (312) 747-8271 or to make an anonymous tip to CPDTIP.com.

Early Walker of the group I'm Telling, Don't Shoot and other community leaders are gathering funds for a reward for information leading to arrests in Williams' murder.

"Here is a man that gave his life to the city – retired; finally was able to retire and try to enjoy his life, and now his life has been taken," Walker said last week. "If someone out here that knows who these individuals are, do the right thing."

He said a portion of the reward funds could be given to a recipient immediately, particularly in case those funds are needed to move or relocate.

"We want justice for this family," he said.

Community activist Andrew Holmes, a friend of Williams', minced no words in talking directly to the shooters.

"If this was your father. To the shooters, you're going to have a son one day, if you don't already have one," Holmes said. "What if he lose you if somebody did this to you?"

A reward for information leading to arrests in the case is up to $33,000.

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