Charges dropped against mother and 14-year-old son in fatal shooting. MY THOUGHTS

CHICAGO Prosecutors on Thursday accused a Chicago woman of encouraging her 14-year-old son to shoot two people during an altercation at a fast food restaurant over the weekend, resulting in one man being killed. The boy did not shoot the second person. Now the mother and son are both charged with first-degree murder. It is, in this courts opinion, highly disturbing that the defendant would encourage her 14-year-old son to be armed with a firearm and fire shots at a victim on the streets of Chicago, Judge Barbara Dawkins said during Carlishia Hoods bail hearing on Thursday. She ordered Hood to pay a $300,000 bail deposit to be released on electronic monitoring. Assistant States Attorney Anne McCord told Dawkins that Hood, 35, stepped inside Maxwell Street Express, 11656 South Halsted, to order food late Sunday night. Her son remained in the car, and Hood, a concealed carry holder, left her firearm in the glove compartment, McCord said. While Hood stood at the order counter, 32-year-old Jeremy Brown arrived at the restaurant, and the two began arguing. They had never met before. During the altercation, Hood texted her son outside and pointed at Brown, McCord said. A female customer laughed at the argument and egged Brown on. Moments later, Hoods son entered the store with his hands in his hoodie pocket. McCord said the argument turned physical, with Brown punching Hood in the head at least three times near the pickup window. After the first punch, Hoods son drew her firearm from his hoodie and shot Brown in the back, McCord alleged. Brown ran from the restaurant, with Hoods son following. Hood ordered her son to shoot and kill Brown, McCord alleged. She said the boy continued firing at Brown, who died of his injuries. Hood and her son, who have no criminal histories, surrendered to police on Wednesday.Posted by JR