Teen Gunman Livestreamed Himself Beating, Threatening Woman: Charges

EVANSTON, IL — A high school student is accused of showing up with a gun at an Evanston woman's home before beating her, threatening to kill her and pulling out some of her hair, police said.

Police were alerted by the woman's friend, who saw that the gunman was livestreaming on social media while waving a gun around and pointing it at her, authorities said.

Tyjier Wilson, 18, faces a felony charge of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, along with misdemeanor charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, domestic battery and interfering with the reporting of domestic battery, according to police and prosecutors.

Wilson has a listed address on Chicago's North Side although, according to his court-appointed defense attorney, he lives with his parents in Indiana.

Around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Wilson showed up at the Simpson Street home of the woman without her permission and began banging on the door under he was allowed in, according to Assistant State's Attorney Alexandra O'Hehir.

Wilson's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Jarnail Kanda, said the woman had invited Wilson and paid for his Uber to come to Evanston.

According to the prosecutor, the woman called a friend while Wilson was inside her house. The friend, who could hear an argument, called 911 after Wilson took the woman's phone.

O'Hehir said Wilson then struck the woman in the face and body and pulled out several of her braids.

"During this incident, [Wilson] took a handgun out and started waving it around," O'Hehir said. "[He] posted multiple videos on social media, waving the gun around and pointing it at the victim."

While holding the gun and recording himself, Wilson told the woman that he was "going to kill this b----," according to the charges.

A family member of the woman who saw the livestream came to the house to try to defuse the situation, but Wilson continued to wave the gun around, according to the prosecutor.

"Eventually, after some negotiating, everyone was let out of the apartment and the [Wilson] was placed in custody," O'Hehir said.

Evanston Police Cmdr. Ryan Glew said Wilson and the woman remained inside after police arrived.

"A short time later, the victim exited the residence, a short time after that, the offender exited the residence," Glew said.

The woman told police where to find the gun Wilson had when he recorded himself threatening her and granted officers permission to search the townhouse, according to O'Hehir.

"Recovered in that search was a Springfield XD9 with 10 rounds," Glew said.

Associate Judge Anthony Calabrese ordered Wilson held at Cook County Jail unless he can come up with the $20,000 cash portion of his bond.

The allegation that Wilson livestreamed his own crimes demonstrated an "unusual perception of himself," Calabrese said. "An unusual choice, I suppose, to highlight the criminality that he was involved in."

Calabrese said the use of a weapon and the nature of the injuries inflicted on the woman were all significant factors in setting bond.

"Individuals were basically held captive by the defendant, for want of a better word," he said.

Wilson is due back in court Sept. 7 to be indicted. He was also served with an order of protection not to have contact with the woman he is accused of threatening and beating.