Hammond Man Arrested For Attempted Murder In Expressway Shooting
Hammond Man Arrested Among Dozens By Illinois State Police For Attempted Murder In Expressway Shootings
On January 31, 2022, Darrell D. Wardington, a 19-year-old male of Hammond, IN was arrested for Attempted Murder for his involvement in an expressway shooting that occurred on Dec. 15, 2021, at approximately 11:23 a.m., on Interstate 94 northbound at 159th Street.
On that date, State Police District Chicago Troopers responded to a reported expressway shooting and learned a 32-year-old male of Chicago, IL sustained non-life-threatening injuries from gunfire. ISP DCI Zone 1 identified Wardington as a suspect.
With the assistance of the FBI Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force, Wardington was taken into custody in Indiana and was subsequently extradited to Illinois. Wardington was lodged at the Cook County Jail with a bond of $250,000.
OTHER ARRESTS MADE BY ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
The ISP Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 1 is investigating each expressway shooting and will continue with each active investigation until the offenders are held accountable. Beginning in mid-January of 2022, as a result of the collaboration among the ISP DCI Zone 1, the ISP Division of Patrol (DOP) District Chicago, the ISP Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force, and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) Felony Review Unit, multiple arrest warrants were obtained, and arrests were made for crimes related to expressway shootings and aggravated fleeing and eluding incidents.
First-Degree Murder Incident: Jan. 30, 2021
On Jan. 31, 2022, the ISP DCI Zone 1 arrested Darnay Washington, a 31-year-old male of Chicago, IL. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Washington with one count of First-Degree Murder, one count of Armed Robbery, and one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking for his involvement in an expressway shooting, an armed robbery, and a carjacking that occurred on Jan. 30, 2021. On that date, at approximately 8:28 p.m., ISP District Chicago Troopers responded to the ramp from Division Street to Interstate 90 southbound for a reported expressway shooting and located a 37-year-old male of Chicago, IL, in a vehicle with life-threatening injuries from gunfire. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene. ISP DCI Zone 1 immediately began a thorough and exhaustive investigation, which included extensive coordination with CPD. During the investigation, ISP Agents learned Washington was allegedly involved in an armed robbery and an aggravated vehicular hijacking, both of which occurred in Chicago approximately four hours prior to the fatal expressway shooting. Washington is currently being held at the Cook County Jail with no bond.
Involuntary Manslaughter Incident: Dec. 13, 2021
Currently, there is a person in custody on un-related charges at the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) who is the suspect in a fatal expressway shooting that occurred on Dec. 13, 2021. The ISP is working with the CCSAO Felony Review Unit and Involuntary Manslaughter charges are authorized and pending.
First Degree Murder Incident: Dec. 19, 2021
On Jan. 27, 2022, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Antione K. Scott, a 31-year-old male of Chicago, IL, with one count of First Degree Murder. Scott was already in custody at the Cook County Jail on an un-related charge. Scott remains in custody with no bond. On Dec. 19, 2021, at approximately 3:21 p.m., ISP District Chicago Troopers responded to Interstate 57 northbound at 159th Street for a reported expressway shooting. Upon arrival, Troopers learned a 35-year-old male of Chicago, IL sustained life-threatening injuries from gunfire and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The victim later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Throughout the course of the extensive investigation, ISP DCI Zone 1 Agents identified Scott as a suspect in the fatal expressway shooting.
In addition to the arrests mentioned above, since October of 2021, ISP DCI Zone 1 Agents arrested the following individuals for their alleged involvement in expressway shootings:
• Armonii M. Russell – Arrested on Nov. 23, 2021, for Attempted Murder
• Deshaun Glover – Arrested on Dec. 3, 2021, for Attempted Murder
• Bradley Plyes – Arrested on October 23, 2021, for Aggravated Discharge of Firearm
• Yanis Larbes – Arrested on Dec. 19, 2021, for Aggravated Discharge of Firearm
• Luis E. Tinejero – Arrested on Oct. 28, 2021, for Reckless Discharge of a Firearm
The following individuals were charged with Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding stemming from pursuits of vehicles on Chicago expressways:
• On Jan. 27, 2022, Travon A. Dailey, a 24-year-old male of Chicago, IL, was arrested for Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding
• On Jan. 28, 2022, Ayanna S. Watkins, a 29-year-old female of Chicago, IL, was arrested for Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding
• On Jan 31, 2022, Richard J. Beck, a 27-year-old male of Chicago, IL, was indicted for Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding
• On Jan. 31, 2022, Deomarte D. Cooper, a 23-year-old male of Harvey, IL, was indicted for Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding
• On Feb. 3, 2022, Neka R. Harden, a 29-year-old female of Chicago, IL, was arrested for Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding
ACTIVE ARREST WARRANTS
In addition to these arrests, ISP is engaged in fugitive pursuits related to several incidents, including:
Homicide Incident: May 2021
In May of 2021, the ISP District Chicago Troopers responded to a reported homicide that took place on a Chicago expressway. After a complete investigation DCI Zone 1 Agents identified an offender and obtained an arrest warrant for First Degree Murder. The offender is currently not in custody. Due to the circumstances of the fugitive investigation tied to the issuance of the arrest warrant additional details are not currently available.
Armed Robbery: July 2, 2021
On Jan. 26, 2022, ISP DCI Zone 1 obtained an arrest warrant for a suspect involved in an armed robbery which occurred on July 2, 2021.
Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking Incident: Nov. 23, 2021
On Jan. 19, 2022, ISP DCI Zone 1 obtained an arrest warrant for a suspect involved in an aggravated vehicular hijacking incident which occurred on Nov. 23, 2021.
Arrests warrants for Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding have been issued and we are seeking the public’s assistance to locate these individuals:
• Tony L. Clark, a 23-year-old male of Chicago, IL
• Jaharee M. Densmore, a 19-year-old male of Chicago, IL
• Lester L. Larkin, a 31-year-old male of Decatur, IL
