South Shore hit-and-run: Suspect charged in triple murder outside Jeffery Pub
CHICAGO - A convicted felon yelled out, "I got something for you," moments before killing three men and seriously injuring a fourth in a hit-and-run outside a well-known gay bar in South Shore earlier this month, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Tavis Dunbar, 34, of Chicago, was allegedly behind the wheel of his cousin's silver sedan when he barreled into a group of people at nearly 60 mph outside the Jeffery Pub in the early hours of Aug. 14.
Dunbar was taken into custody Monday morning after his attorney contacted police and arranged for his surrender, according to the arrest report. He was charged with three felony counts of first degree murder and one felony count of attempted first degree murder, Brown said.
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"This was an execution by vehicle of three men," said a prosecutor reading the charging documents at the Cook County courthouse.
According to prosecutors, an altercation had broken out in front of the bar at 7041 S. Jeffery Blvd. shortly before 5 a.m. and had spilled into the street. While police said Dunbar was not involved, court documents said a witness heard a man resembling his description yell out, "I got something for you, you mother——."
Tavis Dunbar, 34, of Chicago. (Chicago police)
The witness said the person then walked north on Jeffrey, toward where Dunbar’s car was parked. Video shows the headlights soon coming on and then the car speeding toward the group.
The car’s "black box" shows it was traveling at 47 mph 2 1/2 seconds before impact and 59 mph a half-second before the car hit the four men.
"The accelerator was depressed 99% and (Dunbar) never once touched the brakes," prosecutors said in a statement presented in court. "(He) essentially slammed on the gas pedal as he drove directly into four human beings.
Video from the scene showed the victims being hurled through the air, and a police report noted that at least one of them landed on the next block. Killed were Jaylen Ausley, 23, Devonta Vivetter, 27, and Donald Huey, 25. A 22-year-old man was seriously injured.
"Each were either thrown up in the air … or dragged by the car and left to die in the street as (Dunbar) drove off," the statement said.
Dunbar made it three more blocks before he parked it, the front end heavily damaged. A witness told police they heard the car making clunking noises up the street.
Dunbar was seen pacing back and forth outside the car while on his cell phone, prosecutors said. He had apparently parked near a friend’s home and called out to him and was let inside.
The friend told police Dunbar’s hands were bloody and there was glass in his hair. Dunbar mentioned the fight outside the bar but not "the true extent of what happened," prosecutors said. The friend drove Dunbar home, stopping at the parked car so Dunbar could retrieve some items.
Chicago police announces charges in hit-and-run that killed 3 men outside Jeffery Pub in South Shore
Authorities announce charges against Tavis Dunbar, a convicted felon who allegedly plowed into a group of people outside Jeffery Pub in South Shore earlier this month, killing three men and injuring a fourth.
"This senseless act of violence won't be tolerated in the city of Chicago," said Police Superintendent David Brown.
At home, Dunbar told someone else he had been kicked out of the bar and drove away because "people were coming at him," prosecutors said. He claimed he got into an accident as he fled and heavily damaged it, according to prosecutors.
Later, as video of the attack circulated, Dunbar changed his hair and asked the person at home to provide an alibi for him. The person refused, telling Dunbar he had killed two people.
CHICAGO POLICE TOOK 20+ MINUTES TO RESPOND TO HIT-AND-RUN CRASH THAT KILLED 3: REPORT
"Actually, it’s three," Dunbar replied, according to prosecutors.
As police tracked down Dunbar through video and witnesses, he surrendered to police Monday morning and "invoked his right to remain silent," Deenihan said. "I know there’s a lot of questions on why did he do this," he said. "We do not have that motive right now. He did not talk."
Deenihan said there’s currently no evidence that shows Dunbar committed a hate crime.
"We don't have any evidence to support that this was a hate crime at this time that this individual did this based upon people's sexual orientation, race, creed or anything else. And that's why he's charged with first degree murder."
Later in court, prosecutors laid out more of the case against Dunbar and noted that he has twice been sentenced to prison for violent attacks, the latest in 2012 when he beat his 11-year-old brother with a curtain rod and choked him.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said she hoped the charges "will provide some measure of comfort" to those affected by the attack. "This was a horrific, horrific tragedy here in the city of Chicago," she said.
"What it has done to our city, our reputation we certainly want to demonstrate that we want to hold those who commit these acts accountable," said Foxx.
It took more than a week between the time of the hit-and-run and the announcement of the charges. During that time, officers say they counted on technology and tips.
"We used technology, video cameras from the area to track the offender after he left the vehicle to a certain building, which he went to requesting for help. After that, we were able to talk to some individuals in that building. We received some anonymous tips," said Deenihan.
Dunbar was denied bail during a hearing Tuesday afternoon.
"I know there's a lot of questions of ‘why did he do this?’ We do not have that motive right now. He did not talk," said Deenihan.
Dunbar previously pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of domestic battery in 2011 and was sentenced to a year of probation, which he later violated and didn’t successfully complete, according to Cook County court records. He has also had two protective orders taken out against him.
Prosecutors say they will likely seek a life sentence for the crimes.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.