Two Men Charged with Assassinating Business Leader in United Center Project
Jerry Lewis, a 67-year-old developer tied to a large project near the United Center, was shot and killed outside his Chicago offices on Tuesday afternoon. Cook County prosecutors disclosed details during a detention hearing held Friday.
Chicago police watched as two men jumped from a stolen Honda outside Lewis’ offices at 2127 W. Madison St. The suspects were identified as Nassie Mason, 28, and Erving Harris, 31.
How the shooting unfolded
Authorities say Mason fired a single shot into Lewis’ head. Harris then fired three additional rounds while standing over the victim.
The victim was walking between two adjacent, key-secured office buildings. A secretary who was letting him in witnessed the attack. Lewis was later pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows the suspects waiting outside for roughly 90 minutes before the shooting. Six officers patrolling Madison saw the men exit the vehicle holding latex gloves.
Arrest and evidence
Police say the two men were swiftly arrested at the scene. Investigators recovered two firearms and a stolen Honda.
Crime scene technicians recovered four shell casings that matched the recovered guns. One recovered weapon had an extended magazine.
Two men charged now face first-degree murder and felon-in-possession counts. Judge D’Anthony Thedford ordered them held at Cook County Jail after the Friday hearing.
Prosecutor statements and motive
Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Pekara described the incident during the detention hearing. He declined to offer a motive for the attack.
Prosecutors characterized the killing as assassinating business leader tied to the United Center project. The case remains under active investigation.
Defendants’ criminal histories
Both men have prior prison records. Harris has multiple arrests and two drug convictions.
Harris was on parole for a 2018 armed carjacking. He previously received a 16-year sentence in that case.
Mason served 54 months in 2017 for aggravated discharge of a firearm. In 2023, he received an additional three-year sentence after police found a loaded gun and a device that can convert handguns to automatic fire.
Two men charged are being held without release as the prosecution prepares its case. Filmogaz.com will continue to follow updates in the investigation.
