Three Arrests Made In Northwest Side Shooting

An investigation into a shooting two weeks ago during an evening barbecue on the City's northwest side that left two dead and a total of six persons shot has led to the arrest of three individuals, who have been preliminarily charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Those arrested include: Damion Martin, 30, preliminary charge: Conspiracy to Commit Murder; Antwan Williams, 21, preliminary charge: Attempt Murder and Aggravated Battery; and Devin Staten,27, preliminary charge: Conspiracy to Commit Murder. Police sources complained that Public Safety Director Frank Straub hampered their investigation when he rushed to tell the media in the first days into the investigation that police were sure they had identified the shooter and that an arrest was imminent. Homicide investigators saw witnesses clam up and worried about the destruction of other critical evidence after Straub blabbed to the media. Police got a break in the case according to Fox 59 News' Russ McQuaid in the last few days when some people began talking to police after the shooting victims were laid to rest.

UPDATE: A Star report today on the arrests gives a strong argument for locking people up for longer prison sentences:

Martin has been arrested more than 30 times, records show. Martin, who lives in the 1500 block of West 25th Street, has served time in prison on convictions for marijuana possession, battery, resisting law enforcement, carrying a handgun near a school, carrying a handgun without a license and cocaine possession.


Department of Correction records show Martin was released from prison June 27, about five weeks before the shooting on 32nd Street.

Police records show Martin was arrested about nine hours after the shooting after a fight with Jenae Jones, 36. Both were at the site where the car that police think was used in the shooting was found, in the 1300 block of Roache Street.


The police report says, "Relatives of the homicide victims were on the scene, at which time an argument ensued between Damion Martin and Jenae Jones."

The Star story also indicates Williams had a prior arrest for cocaine possession.