From the Chicago Tribune
Cops: Officer slain in plot to steal his gun collection
The teenager charged with slaying off-duty Chicago Police Officer David Blake took his house key and intended to steal his extensive collection of guns from his residence, Police Superintendent Jody Weis said this morning.Blake was shot to death last month in his SUV on a secluded street on the Southwest Side.
Bernard Williams, 18, of the 2500 block of West 81st Place, was charged with first-degree murder Wednesday night. He also was charged with one count of armed robbery.
Williams was ordered held without bail today.
In court today, Williams wore a light-colored jumpsuit and bright turquoise gym shoes and spoke only to identify himself to Judge James Brown.
Prosecutors said Williams' older sister dated Blake and that the teen hatched a plan to rob the SWAT officer after seeing a safe full of weapons at an October party at Blake's home.
Earlier, officials said Blake and Williams knew each other and Williams may have stayed over at Blake's residence for a short period of time, police said, but they denied published reports that the two had lived together.
Williams never got the chance to steal the guns, because when he arrived at Blake's residence police were already there, Weis said. Police, who knew of Blake's weapons collection, had gone to the residence for the express purpose of making sure the guns were secure, Weis said. Police would not detail the extent of Blake's collection.
Police believe Williams was a member of the Gangster Disciples, said Sgt. Shawn McGavock.
Blake was off-duty when he was found dead inside the vehicle in the 2900 block of West Seipp Street in the Wrightwood neighborhood on the evening of Nov. 22.
Weis said the two met to discuss perhaps later watching a football game together and perhaps about Williams coming to stay with Blake again.
The location was chosen by Williams, police believe, because it was secluded, McGavock said.
Detectives identified Williams as a suspect after pouring through Blake's computer and phone records, Weis said.
Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis outlines the department's efforts to arrest and charge Bernard Williams, 18, with the Nov. 22 murder of off-duty police officer David Blake. (Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune)
A cigarette was dangling from Blake's mouth when the body was discovered. The SUV's windows were up, suggesting the shots were fired from inside, several sources have said. His wallet and weapon were also recovered.Blake, a SWAT officer, was with the police department for 15 years. He had also been a member of the Chicago Enforcers, the department's football team. Blake was one of six Chicago police officers to die violently in the city in 2010
Rest in Peace Officer Blake.
Williams never got the chance to steal the guns, because when he arrived at Blake's residence police were already there, Weis said. Police, who knew of Blake's weapons collection, had gone to the residence for the express purpose of making sure the guns were secure, Weis said. Police would not detail the extent of Blake's collection.
Police believe Williams was a member of the Gangster Disciples, said Sgt. Shawn McGavock.
Blake was off-duty when he was found dead inside the vehicle in the 2900 block of West Seipp Street in the Wrightwood neighborhood on the evening of Nov. 22.
Weis said the two met to discuss perhaps later watching a football game together and perhaps about Williams coming to stay with Blake again.
The location was chosen by Williams, police believe, because it was secluded, McGavock said.
Detectives identified Williams as a suspect after pouring through Blake's computer and phone records, Weis said.
Chicago Police Superintendent Jody Weis outlines the department's efforts to arrest and charge Bernard Williams, 18, with the Nov. 22 murder of off-duty police officer David Blake. (Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune)
A cigarette was dangling from Blake's mouth when the body was discovered. The SUV's windows were up, suggesting the shots were fired from inside, several sources have said. His wallet and weapon were also recovered.Blake, a SWAT officer, was with the police department for 15 years. He had also been a member of the Chicago Enforcers, the department's football team. Blake was one of six Chicago police officers to die violently in the city in 2010
Rest in Peace Officer Blake.
