Homicides declined in many south suburbs last year, records show

Homicides in the south suburbs were generally on the decline last year, according to data compiled by the Daily Southtown and Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Countywide, overall homicides fell by more than 9% from 2023 levels and by more than 29% from their peak in 2021, according to the medical examiner’s office. The number Chicago homicides also dropped, Chicago police reported.

Cicero topped Cook County suburbs with 10 homicides last year, while Dolton and Harvey each had nine, according to data.

Dolton had 12 homicides in 2023 while Harvey recorded 13.  Harvey had 31 homicides in 2021.

Calumet City had eight homicides last year, compared with six in 2023, according to records.

Chicago Heights had five homicides last year compared with 12 in 2023.

There were six homicides reported last year in Riverdale, down from 11 in 2023, according to records.

Countywide, the medical examiner’s office said that, last year, African Americans were the victims of 72% of homicides and Latinos accounted for just under 22% of homicide deaths. Males accounted for 87% of homicide deaths.

Markham last year recorded five homicides compared with four in 2023, and Calumet Park saw two homicides last year compared with three in 2023.

There were three homicides last year in Country Club Hills compared with four in 2023. South Holland had three homicides last year, the same as in 2023.

Blue Island recorded two homicides last year compared with one in 2023.

Ford Heights had two homicides last year, the same as in 2023, and there were two homicides reported last year in Sauk Village compared with three in 2023, according to records.

There were three homicides reported last year in Dixmoor, after none were recorded in 2023, according to records.

Tinley Park didn’t see any homicides in 2023, but there were four on one day last year after a man allegedly shot to death his wife and three adult daughters last Jan. 21 in their home.

Maher Kassem, shot the women during an argument in the 7400 block of West 173rd Street and he’s being held in jail, according to authorities.

At a detention hearing, prosecutors said Kassem fired at least 13 rounds into his wife, Majeda Kassem, 53, and daughters Halema Kassem, 25, Zahia Kassem, 25, and Hanan Kassem, 24, during the argument in the basement of their home.

There were two homicides reported each last year in Glenwood, and Summit, and one each in Crestwood, Matteson, Oak Forest, Richton Park and Robbins, according to records.

Last year started out with two people being shot to death on New Year’s Day in Calumet City in what police said was a domestic disturbance, and a Chicago man being charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

Pedro Tovar was ordered held in Cook County Jail following his arrest Jan. 4, and police said he was previously in a relationship with one of the victims.

Police said officers responded at about 1 a.m. last Jan. 1 to a home in the 1200 block of Hirsch Avenue for reports of gunshots fired.

Responding officers found a 53-year-old woman who had been shot, and also located a 45-year-old man shot next door to the home.

Eduardo Chavez, 45, of the 1200 block of Hirsch, was shot in the chest and pronounced dead at the scene. The female victim, with whom police said Tovar previously had a relationship, was identified as Corrine Mirelez, of Whiting, Indiana, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds as well as stab wounds, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Last year ended with two Park Forest women shot to death in their home and an acquaintance being charged with murder.

Coleman Franklin is due back in court Jan. 24 following his arrest Dec. 31 in connection with the Dec. 26 shootings. Authorities say he was living with the two women and in a dating relationship with one of them.

Park Forest police responding at about 6 p.m. Dec. 26 found Lillian Brown, 51, and Sabrina McCain, 30, with gunshot wounds at their home on the 300 block of Miami Street. Brown was pronounced dead at the scene and McCain was pronounced death a St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields.

At the home, police also found McCain’s 2-year-old and 9-year-old children, who were unharmed, according to court records.

The first Southland homicide of 2025 was reported New Year’s Day in Harvey, according to the medical examiner’s office.

Eric McCann, 22, was shot multiple times at an address in the 15700 block of Paulina Street and pronounced dead at 3:35 p.m. Jan. 1 at UChicago Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, according to the office, which said an address for the man was not available.