More Information Coming to Light in Jerry Lewis’ Killing

More information is coming to light in the brazen killing of Tuesday of Jerry Lewis, a West Side developer involved in one of Chicago’s most closely watched megaprojects, while making his way between offices.

According to information presented by Cook County prosecutors during a Friday detention hearing, two men allegedly ambushed Lewis, 67, at 2127 West Madison Street. Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Pekara stated that the suspects had been waiting for the businessman for 90 minutes before the shooting, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

Lewis’ office is blocks from the United Center, an area currently slated for a massive multibillion-dollar transformation. His involvement made him a recognizable figure in the effort to modernize the Near West Side corridor, according to the outlet.

Police witnessed the shooting as it unfolded while they were patrolling the Madison Street area. Officers saw Nassie Mason and Erving Harris exit a stolen vehicle and open fire as Lewis moved between his buildings.

The buildings owned by Lewis were secured properties that required a key or internal clearance for entry. He was waiting for a secretary to grant him access to the adjacent building when the gunmen approached, according to the police report.

Mason and Harris were apprehended immediately, as six officers were already on the scene. Authorities recovered weapons at the site, including one firearm equipped with an extended magazine and another modified for automatic fire, according to the report.

The development Lewis was associated with represents one of the most ambitious private investments in Chicago’s recent history. The United Center’s $7 billion 1901 Project aims to transform existing land into a vibrant district featuring residential units, retail space and entertainment venues.

Prosecutors have not yet established a motive for the killing. Judge D’Anthony Thedford ordered both Mason and Harris to be held at Cook County Jail without bond.

Both suspects have extensive criminal histories, including prior convictions for firearm offenses and armed carjacking. Harris was reportedly on parole for a 2018 case at the time of the Tuesday afternoon attack.

The shooting occurred in broad daylight with law enforcement nearby. That has sparked discussions regarding security in the Near West Side, according to the publication. Lewis was transported to Stroger Hospital following the shooting, but was later pronounced dead. His death marks a somber moment for the neighborhood he sought to improve through his various business and development ventures.

— Eric Weilbacher