Chicago father arrested after 8-year-old son fatally shot; postal worker performed CPR: court docs

CHICAGO - A Chicago father was arrested and charged in connection with the fatal shooting of his 8-year-old son Thursday on the city’s South Side, authorities said. 

Father Charged in Connection With Deadly Shooting 

What we know:

Derrick Taylor, 32, of Chicago, faces charges of child endangerment and possession of a weapon as a felon, according to Chicago police. He has not been charged with shooting the child.

Pictured is Derrick Taylor, 32. (Cook County Jail)

The incident occurred in the 1400 block of East 71st Place in the Grand Crossing neighborhood, where 8-year-old Josiah Hooker was killed, and a 5-year-old boy was injured.

According to an incident report from the Chicago Police Department, Taylor was asleep when he was awakened by a loud noise. He found his son, Hooker, had been shot in the head, picked him up, and ran outside to seek help from a neighbor. 

A postal worker delivering mail in the area rushed to assist and performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

Hooker was transported to Comer Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The 5-year-old boy, who had a facial laceration, was also taken to Comer and is in good condition.

Police said three other children were in the home at the time of the shooting but were not injured.

Investigators found the handgun used in the shooting was loaded and within reach of the children on a TV stand when it occurred. 

Officers said after the shooting, the weapon had an ejected magazine and no live rounds. Taylor was also found to lack an active FOID card or a Concealed Carry License, police said.

What's next:

Taylor was arrested shortly after the shooting. He was ordered to remain in custody and is scheduled for a court appearance at 11:30 a.m., Monday, March 24.