CHICAGO — Two men were charged early Tuesday in the murder of a South Side rapper, officials said.
Christopher Thomas, a 28-year-old rapper known as "Mad Dog," died after being shot multiple times Sunday outside a restaurant in Grand Boulevard, according to his family and the Cook County medical examiner's office.
Yecary Harris, 30, of the 8300 block of South Anthony Avenue, was charged with first degree murder in the slaying, police said in a statement. His alleged accomplice, 31-year-old Rodney Harris of the 900 block of West 76th Street, was charged with one count of aggravated fleeing, and traffic citations for failure to stop at stop sign and driving on suspended license.
Officers allegedly spotted the duo getting into a vehicle after the shooting in the 5000 block of South Indiana Avenue, police said. They allegedly drove onto the Dan Ryan Expressway at 63rd Street and a chase ensued before they crashed into another vehicle while attempting to exit the expressway at 43rd Street. The men then attempted to flee on foot before being taken into police custody, cops said. A weapon was recovered, according to police.
Witnesses told Latoya Curry, Thomas's ex-girlfriend, that two men approached Thomas outside Baba's Famous Steak and Lemonade, tried to take his coat, and shot him when he pulled away.
"He never messed with nobody," Curry, 30, said. "He was real nice, kind, sweet and helpful."
Thomas is survived by a nine-year-old daughter, Kaiya.
Yecary Harris and Rodney Harris will appear in bond court Tuesday.