A Chicago man who was paroled in 2018 after completing a 40-year sentence for a 1998 murder was sentenced to 15 years on Thursday for his role in a 2020 Bucktown shooting that killed one man and injured a teenager during Puerto Rican Day festivities.
Carlos Coleman, 45, was not charged with shooting the pistol in the most recent case, but prosecutors said he helped instigate the conflict during which his buddy shot the victims. He pled guilty to second-degree murder in March 2024, but his sentencing was postponed until the alleged shooter, Lazerice Drew, pled guilty earlier this month and received a 35-year sentence.
The shooting took place shortly before 7 p.m. on June 20, 2020, at the Western Avenue Blue Line stop. Brandon McGhee and his buddies had stopped at a convenience shop when he and a 16-year-old boy left their vehicle. According to prosecutors, Drew, Coleman, and a third suspect crossed the street and demanded to know their gang allegiance. McGhee’s friends and family later indicated that he was in the region for the festival and had no gang affiliation.
During an initial court hearing, prosecutors claimed Coleman tried to hit the 16-year-old, who ducked, forcing Coleman to fall. The conflict erupted swiftly. When the teen and McGhee noticed Drew reaching for his waistline, as if for a weapon, they ran. Drew opened fire, shooting McGhee in the neck and the 16-year-old in the arm as they fled.
McGhee died of his injuries. Police stated he and the teenager had no past encounter with the Chicago Police Department.
The shooting also threatened onlookers. One round entered the windshield of a passing car on Western Avenue, narrowly missing the occupants but injuring one with flying glass.
Following the incident, Coleman went in one direction, while Drew and the third individual fled in the opposite direction, wearing Puerto Rican flags. Drew was caught on surveillance changing his clothing before throwing away his revolver in an alley behind the 1900 block of North Milwaukee Avenue. Police found the firearm around 20 minutes later.
Investigators identified Drew by comparing tattoos in his social media posts to images of the gunman, and a court issued an arrest warrant within two weeks. However, he avoided capture for a year before being apprehended by authorities in July 2021 after a car accident.
Judge John Lyke presided over the two sentencings. Coleman’s 15-year sentence will be reduced by 50% under state law. The deficit is projected to be largely offset by the 2,732 days of credit he earned while in county jail.
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