Chicago, Illinois – A tragic incident unfolded earlier this week when a 37-year-old man, with a history of criminal offenses, was charged in a horrific attack that resulted in the death of an eleven-year-old boy and severe injuries to his pregnant mother. Authorities described the attack as brutal, sparking outrage in the community.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, accompanied by other law enforcement officials and Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, announced that Crosetti Brand, 37, faces first-degree murder charges in the killing of Jayden Perkins, 11. The devastating incident has left many questioning how such a tragedy could have occurred.
The man, who was released from prison the day before the attack, reportedly had a troubling past and the wounded mother had previously obtained an order of protection against him. Authorities revealed that Brand, a convicted felon, had been on parole while serving a 16-year sentence for home invasion and aggravated assault.
Questions arose about the handling of Brand’s case, with Snelling expressing dismay over the lack of outrage for the family affected by the domestic attack. According to Chicago Police Deputy Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti, Brand had a history of domestic abuse with the female victim, dating back over 15 years.
Despite being on electronic monitoring and then re-incarcerated for parole violations, Brand was released again on March 12. The following day, he carried out the vicious attack at the victim’s apartment, where he not only stabbed the woman multiple times but also fatally injured her young son, leaving a deep scar in the community.
Authorities shared that video evidence captured Brand fleeing the scene with a weapon, later recovered by detectives. Following a search based on tips from the public, Brand was located at his residence on the South Side and apprehended after hours on the run.
In addition to murder charges, Brand faces a slew of other felony charges, including attempted murder, home invasion, armed robbery, domestic battery, unlawful use of a weapon, and parole violations. The heinous nature of the attack has prompted outrage and calls for justice from community members and officials.