Second victim in Boulder Hill drive-by shooting dies, more indictments pending

A woman injured by gunmen in a Boulder Hill drive-by shooting last November has died from her injuries, prompting a second murder indictment for the two suspects facing trial for the crime.

The news of a second death in the shooting authorities have called “gang-related” came during a pre-trial hearing for accused gunman James E. Brown, Jr., 27, of the 200 block of Linn Court in North Aurora.

“Last week a second victim has passed away, so there will be additional charges,” Assistant State’s Attorney Mark Shlifka announced during a hearing Tuesday, June 29 at the Kendall County Courthouse in Yorkville.

Brown currently faces four felony charges stemming from the shooting, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm. The court indicted on identical charges his alleged accomplice in the shooting, Jacquarance Handley, 32, of the 900 block Bluebell Circle in Joliet.

New homicide charges in the case will go before a grand jury and likely be filed as a superseding indictment, Shlifka added. Prosecution is also still awaiting the results of DNA testing in the case.

Brown’s lawyer, Chicago criminal attorney Joseph Lopez, said in court Tuesday he was not aware of the second victim’s death.

The deadly shooting occurred in the late morning of Nov. 11 on Sierra Road in the unincorporated subdivision between Montgomery and Oswego, where gunmen allegedly shot an AR-15 into a residential home during an attempted gang hit. Though law enforcement officials said the intended target of the shooting escaped, two women were shot: Cassandra Chatman, who died at a nearby hospital, and her daughter, Changina Chatman. Chatman had been hospitalized since the shooting up until her death last week.

Kendall County authorities apprehended Brown and Handley within hours of the shooting and recovered the reported murder weapon. Brown reportedly admitted to being a member of a street gang during an interview with law enforcement after the shooting, according to court documents.

Both men have been in custody at the Kendall County Jail since Nov. 11 on a $2 million bond. Brown will appear in court again Wednesday, Aug, 25. Handley is set to appear Tuesday, July 13 for a final pre-trial hearing.