Jury Finds Man Guilty Of Murder Of 14-Year-Old In North Chicago

WAUKEGAN, IL — The first of two brothers charged with murder over the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old nearly two years ago in North Chicago has been found guilty by a Lake County jury.

Lavon'ta Brown was found critically injured at the Citgo gas station at 1015 10th St. in North Chicago on the evening of May 15.

Alraum Williams, 19, of Calumet City, was convicted late Friday following a four-day trial in Waukegan, which featured testimony from more than a dozen witnesses, according to prosecutors.

Amireon Williams, 20, of North Chicago, is awaiting trial over his role in the killing, court records show.

Brown was at the gas station when he was confronted by the occupants of a gold Chevrolet Malibu, at least two of whom pointed guns at him, authorities said.

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The 14-year-old then pulled out his own gun and fired back at the attackers before collapsing while trying to run away, according to prosecutors, who said both Williams brothers fired at Brown.

The Malibu fled the scene and crashed near the Home Depot, 2001 Belvidere Road, in Waukegan, authorities said, with surveillance video showing the driver and five passengers take off running in different directions.

Amireon Williams tried to hide the Home Depot but was taken into custody in store's bathroom by Waukegan police shortly after Brown's slaying.

At the time of his arrest, he also had an outstanding arrest warrant stemming from a charge of aggravated discharge of a firearm in Waukegan.

He now faces counts of first-degree murder and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. His next court date is March 18 and a trial is currently scheduled to begin May 6.

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Alraum Williams was arrested in August 2022.

Prosecutors said officers spotted him on surveillance video opening the door and firing shots at Brown from the back seat of the Malibu.

And, at trial, some of the other occupants in the car testified that Alraum Williams was in the car and sitting in the rear passenger side seat, prosecutors said.

The state's attorneys' office initially also charged him with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon but dropped the gun charge to avoid giving the jury the opportunity to compromise with a conviction for the lesser offense, according to a spokesperson for the office.

Following his conviction, he faces up to 75 years in state prison at a sentencing hearing scheduled for April 5.

Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said in a statement that Alraum Williams would be "off the streets for a long time" thanks to the work of prosecutors in his office.

“But 'guilty verdicts' are never enough," Rinehart said. "This defendant had no prior criminal history which is why must also focus on preventing this violence by addressing root causes even as we hold offenders accountable. We can and must do both to have long term safety.”