Man charged in Edgewater attack that killed 11-year-old, wounded pregnant mother

CHICAGO - A man has been charged in the stabbing attack that killed an 11-year-old boy and wounded his pregnant mother Wednesday in Edgewater.

Crosetti Brand, 37, killed Jayden Perkins and critically wounded the boy's mother during a home invasion Wednesday morning at a residence in the 5900 block of North Ravenswood Avenue, according to police. Jayden's 6-year-old brother witnessed the attack on his family but was unharmed.

"An innocent child's life was taken as he tried to protect his mother, far too soon. A mother was attacked in what should have been the safest place for her, which was her home," Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx said.

Chicago police took Brand into custody Wednesday afternoon hours he allegedly entered the home as the victim was taking her sons to school. Brand has a long criminal record for domestic violence and violating orders of protection. 

The mother had a prior relationship with Brand more than 15 years ago, police said. He was serving a 15-year sentence for home invasion and aggravated assault when he was paroled and placed on electronic monitoring this past October.

While Brand was on parole, he threatened the victim through text messages and also showed up at her home despite the victim having a lifetime order of protection against him. Brand was sent back to prison in February for his parole violation. He was released from the Stateville Correctional Center with electronic monitoring on Tuesday after serving about seven years.

Video showed Brand running away from the scene, holding the knife that was used in the attack, police said. Witnesses provided information that led police to identify the suspect and arrest him hours after the stabbing.

According to court records, in 2015, the suspect attacked the same woman just four days after she broke off their dating relationship. 

He was charged with:

• One count of first-degree murder
• One count of attempted first-degree murder
• Three counts of home invasion with a deadly weapon
• One count of armed robbery with a dangerous weapon
• One count of aggravated domestic battery
• One count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon
• One count of violation of an order of protection

"Along with being brutally attacked, stabbed multiple times, dealing with that trauma, [the mother] has to face the fact that she will never see, touch, hug her 11-year-old son. She's lost him forever," CPD Supt. Larry Snelling said.

The victim is doing "okay" and spoke with detectives for roughly two hours since her hospitalization, police said.

Friends and neighbors on Thursday gathered outside the apartment complex where the incident took place to pay their respects. Flowers were laid near a tree outside the building, and a prayer was said before releasing balloons in memory of Jayden.

"I miss him," said Mason Hamm, a classmate of Jayden. "It's not going to be the same without him."

Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement about the incident on Saturday morning: 

"I am devastated by the murder of Jayden Perkins and the attempted murder of his mother. This despicable crime is a horrific reminder of the need for us to correct systemic failures, address the root causes of violence in our community, and continue to support our domestic violence and gender-based violence survivors, their families and communities, and the providers and advocates who do this work daily.

Domestic violence impacts everyone in our communities, and we are committed to building on resources that support survivors and their families. Partnerships like The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence make the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline possible. Anyone who may be experiencing or witnessing violence may reach out by calling or texting 1-877-863-6338. The Hotline is available 24/7 and in Spanish.

I thank the Chicago Police Department for its efforts and for bringing swift justice as we continue to coordinate resources for Jayden’s family and community. The family has been connected to emergency funding and other resources. Chicago Public Schools and community-based victim service teams are providing support to students who attended school with Jayden and those in the community who are impacted.

We will continue to build on those resources, collaborating with our advocates, the County and the State to leverage every opportunity available, as we know there is much more work to do on this front.

Jayden was a bright light in his community. We grieve alongside his family and community as we reckon with this unthinkable loss. We pray for Jayden’s mother’s recovery. We will never forget Jayden who was taken from us much too soon. May God rest his soul in eternal peace."

Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward alderman, shared a statement on the case Friday afternoon, shared below: 

"Dear Neighbor,

This morning at 10:30am, the State’s Attorney’s office filed charges in an attack this past Wednesday, which fatally wounded an 11-year-old child and critically injured his mother. The offender, a 37-year old man with a history of domestic violence against both this woman and other women, was charged with first degree murder, attempted murder, and several other felonies.

I am grateful to the 20th District Police Department and Area 3 Detectives for the swift and tireless investigation that led to these charges, and to the State’s Attorney’s office for their continued work in ensuring that justice is served. I hope and trust that this man will be held accountable for the monstrous disdain for human life that was shown through this unfathomable act of violence, and will continue to do whatever I can to support law enforcement in their pursuit of justice.

I also know that no measure of justice or accountability will make up for the loss that this community has endured. A family is shattered. The mother is still in the hospital after enduring an unimaginable trauma. And an irreplaceable life has been taken from our community. Jayden was a beloved son, a dear friend, a talented member of his local dance troupe, and a cherished member of the Peirce Elementary community. His life never should have been taken from us, and especially not in this way.

Any act of violence is an affront to humanity. Domestic violence is especially so, because it is a betrayal of the bonds we owe to each other. It is also deeply traumatizing for anyone who experiences it, whether directly or indirectly. I take this one personally, not only because it happened in my community—just two blocks away from my home where my own children live—but because we should all take these acts personally. It is an attack not only on the victims, but on the entire fabric of our community.

Over the coming weeks, there will be mourning and anguish as we wait for justice to be served, and try to put together what has been broken by this tragedy. I also know, and witnessed firsthand at last night’s vigil, that we will find ways to come together as a community. We will find a way to heal, without forgetting. We will find a way to support this family as they attempt to recover from the unrecoverable (we invite you to donate to the family support fund if you're able). We will do it the only way we can—together, as one community, because we are all we have."