Charges against mother and 14-year-old son dropped in shooting death case

CHICAGO — Charges were dropped against a mother and her 14-year-old son following the June 18 shooting at a restaurant in the city’s West Pullman neighborhood.

In light of the new evidence, the attorney’s office has dismissed the charges against Karisha Hood and her son, according to the state attorney’s office.

On June 18, Hood entered the Maxwell Street Express to buy food while his son waited in his car outside.

Shortly after, a man entered the restaurant and an altercation ensued between Hood and the man, court documents show. Hood said he was signaling to his son from the store. He entered a restaurant during an argument.

The altercation quickly turned physical as the man punched Hood in the head multiple times. Hood’s son then showed a gun and fired at the man, the documents said. He received a gunshot wound to his back.

The man then fled the restaurant, but the 14-year-old followed him and opened fire.

The man suffered two gunshot wounds to his back and was pronounced dead shortly after.

Both Ms. Hood and her son were arrested Wednesday after appearing, and the charges were dropped on Monday.

Hood and the boy had no reported criminal records, and prosecutors said the evidence and law failed to meet their burden of proof in prosecuting the case.