Some fired gunshots, a felon accused cops of arresting him “because
a black man won for president” and a teenager standing with throngs of
passionate revelers used the opportunity to slap a police officer, Cook
County prosecutors said.
“White bitches. F--- McCain. You white police can’t do nothing,”
19-year-old Celita Hart taunted officers as she stood with a throng of
Obama supporters in the 6900 block of South Western Avenue, Assistant
State’s Attorney Lorraine Scaduto said in a court Wednesday. At some
point, authorities said, Hart left the crowd, which had been chanting
“Obama, Obama,” walked up to a squad car, and smacked a male officer in
the face.
West Sider Narada Thomas, 23, told police he shot a .22-caliber
revolver in the air to “celebrate Obama becoming president,” Scaduto
said. And 37-year-old Andre Murph, of Aurora, shot a 9mm into the
ground several times in the 700 block of West 60th Place to express his
joy, Scaduto said.
“It was an exciting night,” Murph’s attorney James E. Thompson shrugged before Judge Israel Desierto.
While Kenneth Smith, a 24-year- old felon, never stated why he fired
three rounds at his residence, in the 6700 block of South Ada Street,
he complained that officers only arrested him “because a black man won
for president,” Scaduto said.
Peer pressure seemed to get the better of 54-year-old Joseph Morgan,
who allegedly was caught holding a .22-caliber gun in the air on his
back porch in the 5700 block of South Lowe Avenue.
His excuse, according to prosecutors?
“Everybody else is shooting their guns, I figured, ‘Why not?’ ”
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