Cicero shooting: Suspect ID'd after 2 women fatally shot, baby wounded

CICERO, Ill. - Two women are dead, and a 10-month-old baby was wounded after a shooting at a Cicero home on Tuesday night.

According to Cicero police, officers were called to a residence in the 1800 block of South 48th Court around 7:45 p.m. for a shooting incident.

Upon arrival, officers were met with a chaotic scene with 14 people inside the home. Many were screaming and running around, police said.

The officers were then directed to the basement of the home, where two women were found with gunshot wounds. The two were transported to an area hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

The women were identified as 29-year-old Jessica Hughes and 19-year-old Myeshia Newby by the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. Both of the women lived at the same address in the block where the murders took place.

While investigating the shooting, police identified the suspect as 21-year-old Rafael Vega, who was in a relationship with Newby.

A relative told the Sun-Times that Newby was heard arguing with her son's father in the basement before gun shots rang out.

As the investigation continued, police were notified that a 10-month-old baby was also at the scene, but had not been located. It was later determined the baby was with the grandmother, and the grandmother reiterated multiple times that the baby was fine and had no injuries.

Then, at about 5:55 a.m. on Wednesday, police were notified of a man who was at Warren Park with a gun. Officers responded to the scene, where they located a deceased male with a gunshot wound to the head.

Preliminary information indicates that the male discovered in the park was connected to the shooting incident at the home.

Then, at about 10:30 a.m., the 10-month-old baby, who was determined to be the child of Newby, was brought to the hospital by the grandmother. It was determined by medical staff that the child had an injury consistent with a gunshot wound. The baby was listed in stable condition.

"The grandma said the child was playing normally and there were no signs of injury. She said she noticed this morning a scratch and fluid on the baby’s abdomen," said Cicero Police Superintendent Thomas Boyle.

The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing. Authorities did say Vega had a criminal background.