Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Beloiter slain; two held
Body discovered in W. Side home
By Rasmieyh Abdelnabi
Daily News staff writer
A Beloit man met a violent end Monday afternoon in what residents describe as a once quiet and peaceful neighborhood.
Carlos E. Lak, 35, was found dead at 1246 Eighth St. around 2 p.m. from a gunshot wound.
Two persons of interest were arrested as they were in a vehicle matching the description of one leaving the scene of the homicide at high speed. The suspect vehicle, a green-blue Pontiac Bonneville, crashed into a tree at Dewey and Henry avenues, at the edge of Summit Park. Police say the driver fled on foot to a home in the 1700 block of Wisconsin Avenue. The passenger was found injured in the vehicle.
Around 4:30 p.m., about two hours after the driver, Byron R. Stewart, went into a residence at 1732 Wisconsin Ave., he surrendered without incident. Stewart, 36, of the 400 block of Wisconsin Avenue, was arrested for fleeing, criminal trespass and a probation violation. He is currently at the Rock County Jail.
The other person of interest is Thomas C. Conner, 36. He was arrested for possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a park and a probation violation. Police say Conner is currently undergoing treatment for injuries he sustained in the crash and will be transported to the jail as soon as he is released from the hospital.
Wisconsin from Henry Avenue to Summit Avenue was closed for a few hours as police arrested Stewart and processed the scene.
Police are not releasing too many details surrounding the homicide, as the investigation is ongoing.
A weapon was found at the crash scene on Dewey and Henry, but police are not sure if it was the weapon used in the homicide.
Detectives are still piecing together the events leading to Lak's death this morning. Police say a motive has not been established.
An autopsy is scheduled today in Madison. Police won't release where or how many times Lak was shot. However, Beloit Police Chief Sam Lathrop said officers who responded to the victim's residence found him dead.
“Yesterday's events are a great example of what happens when witnesses who see things tell police what they see,” Lathrop said.
Responding officers were able to identify the suspect vehicle because of descriptions from witnesses. Officers were able to find the vehicle within moments.
The events of Monday led to assistance from the police departments of South Beloit and Town of Beloit, along with members of Rock County Sheriff's Department. The SWAT team was deployed, along with hostage negotiators.
“It really stretched our resources,” Lathrop said.
He explained there were three scenes that needed processing: The crash at Dewey and Henry avenues, the foot pursuit in the 1700 block of Wisconsin Avenue and the homicide scene in the 1200 block of Eighth Street.
“We were calling for help,” Lathrop said. “Those are very manpower intensive scenes.”
Delandis McKinney, a 15-year-old freshman at Beloit Memorial High School, lives at 1732 Wisconsin Ave., where Stewart was hiding for about twohours, with his grandparents.
“It's the type of thing you see on TV, but don't think it would ever happen to you. But then when it does, it's like dang, you're just like the people on TV,” McKinney said.
While he doesn't feel unsafe in his home, after this incident, McKinney is going to watch his back, he said, because anything can happen.
He said he personally doesn't know Stewart, but Stewart knows the family.
Residents in the 1200 block of Eighth Street say the house where Lak was killed has been a chronic problem for the past few years. They described the group of one-room efficiency housing units as a “drug house” with constant activity, in the middle of an otherwise nice neighborhood.
An anonymous neighbor - whose house, directly next door to the crime scene, was struck by a bullet - said the incident worries him.
“I live right next door. I have two young kids and my kids play out there all the time,” he said.
The property is owned by Allen Cass and Dawn Pitts.
A couple that has lived on the block the last several decades, but wished not to be named for security purposes, said they have spoken to the police department, along with the city about their concerns.
“It's just a sad situation,” the woman said. “It's just so sad. I miss the days when the kids could play outside on their big wheels. We're neighbors wanting our neighborhood back.”
“What a nice neighborhood it used to be,” her husband added.
Residents say although the incident has been one of several to draw police to the neighborhood, other neighbors agree the shooting has prompted them to think about relocating.
“There's always some kind of commotion going on here. I've called the cops for activity over there before,” Mandi Neujahr said. “It's just kind of scary. I mean, I've got little kids here.”
“I have a couple kids that live on that street, so I'm kind of disturbed a little bit, too,” said LaMar Pulliam, president of Pulliam Alternative Services Inc., who was not present at the scene, but heard about the shooting.
Monday's events led to two schools near the crime scenes to be put on lockdown shortly before normal dismissal time.
Burdge and Merrill Elementary schools received the notice about 2:15 p.m., but parents were able to take their children home, said Doug Reynolds, coordinator of security and safety of schools. Burdge lifted the lockdown about 3:40 p.m. while Merrill was still on alert at 4 p.m.
The schools worked “very closely with law enforcement,” Reynolds said, and a couple officers were sent to Burdge.
Because the lockdowns happened late in the day, they weren't given a full explanation of what happened, Reynolds said, noting many were smiling when they left the buildings and talking about returning today.
Daily News staff writers Ashley Rhodebeck and Julie Becker also contributed to this story.
By Rasmieyh Abdelnabi
Daily News staff writer
A Beloit man met a violent end Monday afternoon in what residents describe as a once quiet and peaceful neighborhood.
Carlos E. Lak, 35, was found dead at 1246 Eighth St. around 2 p.m. from a gunshot wound.
Two persons of interest were arrested as they were in a vehicle matching the description of one leaving the scene of the homicide at high speed. The suspect vehicle, a green-blue Pontiac Bonneville, crashed into a tree at Dewey and Henry avenues, at the edge of Summit Park. Police say the driver fled on foot to a home in the 1700 block of Wisconsin Avenue. The passenger was found injured in the vehicle.
Around 4:30 p.m., about two hours after the driver, Byron R. Stewart, went into a residence at 1732 Wisconsin Ave., he surrendered without incident. Stewart, 36, of the 400 block of Wisconsin Avenue, was arrested for fleeing, criminal trespass and a probation violation. He is currently at the Rock County Jail.
The other person of interest is Thomas C. Conner, 36. He was arrested for possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a park and a probation violation. Police say Conner is currently undergoing treatment for injuries he sustained in the crash and will be transported to the jail as soon as he is released from the hospital.
Wisconsin from Henry Avenue to Summit Avenue was closed for a few hours as police arrested Stewart and processed the scene.
Police are not releasing too many details surrounding the homicide, as the investigation is ongoing.
A weapon was found at the crash scene on Dewey and Henry, but police are not sure if it was the weapon used in the homicide.
Detectives are still piecing together the events leading to Lak's death this morning. Police say a motive has not been established.
An autopsy is scheduled today in Madison. Police won't release where or how many times Lak was shot. However, Beloit Police Chief Sam Lathrop said officers who responded to the victim's residence found him dead.
“Yesterday's events are a great example of what happens when witnesses who see things tell police what they see,” Lathrop said.
Responding officers were able to identify the suspect vehicle because of descriptions from witnesses. Officers were able to find the vehicle within moments.
The events of Monday led to assistance from the police departments of South Beloit and Town of Beloit, along with members of Rock County Sheriff's Department. The SWAT team was deployed, along with hostage negotiators.
“It really stretched our resources,” Lathrop said.
He explained there were three scenes that needed processing: The crash at Dewey and Henry avenues, the foot pursuit in the 1700 block of Wisconsin Avenue and the homicide scene in the 1200 block of Eighth Street.
“We were calling for help,” Lathrop said. “Those are very manpower intensive scenes.”
Delandis McKinney, a 15-year-old freshman at Beloit Memorial High School, lives at 1732 Wisconsin Ave., where Stewart was hiding for about twohours, with his grandparents.
“It's the type of thing you see on TV, but don't think it would ever happen to you. But then when it does, it's like dang, you're just like the people on TV,” McKinney said.
While he doesn't feel unsafe in his home, after this incident, McKinney is going to watch his back, he said, because anything can happen.
He said he personally doesn't know Stewart, but Stewart knows the family.
Residents in the 1200 block of Eighth Street say the house where Lak was killed has been a chronic problem for the past few years. They described the group of one-room efficiency housing units as a “drug house” with constant activity, in the middle of an otherwise nice neighborhood.
An anonymous neighbor - whose house, directly next door to the crime scene, was struck by a bullet - said the incident worries him.
“I live right next door. I have two young kids and my kids play out there all the time,” he said.
The property is owned by Allen Cass and Dawn Pitts.
A couple that has lived on the block the last several decades, but wished not to be named for security purposes, said they have spoken to the police department, along with the city about their concerns.
“It's just a sad situation,” the woman said. “It's just so sad. I miss the days when the kids could play outside on their big wheels. We're neighbors wanting our neighborhood back.”
“What a nice neighborhood it used to be,” her husband added.
Residents say although the incident has been one of several to draw police to the neighborhood, other neighbors agree the shooting has prompted them to think about relocating.
“There's always some kind of commotion going on here. I've called the cops for activity over there before,” Mandi Neujahr said. “It's just kind of scary. I mean, I've got little kids here.”
“I have a couple kids that live on that street, so I'm kind of disturbed a little bit, too,” said LaMar Pulliam, president of Pulliam Alternative Services Inc., who was not present at the scene, but heard about the shooting.
Monday's events led to two schools near the crime scenes to be put on lockdown shortly before normal dismissal time.
Burdge and Merrill Elementary schools received the notice about 2:15 p.m., but parents were able to take their children home, said Doug Reynolds, coordinator of security and safety of schools. Burdge lifted the lockdown about 3:40 p.m. while Merrill was still on alert at 4 p.m.
The schools worked “very closely with law enforcement,” Reynolds said, and a couple officers were sent to Burdge.
Because the lockdowns happened late in the day, they weren't given a full explanation of what happened, Reynolds said, noting many were smiling when they left the buildings and talking about returning today.
Daily News staff writers Ashley Rhodebeck and Julie Becker also contributed to this story.
 |
||
| Man sought in separate shooting case |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of beloitdailynews.com.
Camellia Marvin, Beloit wrote on Apr 4, 2007 4:41 PM:
" After reading this story I must say that I am extremely upset in regards to the comments made about the neighborhood where Mr. Lak lived. My backyard is where Thomas Conner was apprehended yet there was no mention of it except that it was 1000 feet from a park. It doesn't mention that I would like to press charges for trespassing onto my property. There is no mention of the conditions of my neighborhood or how many times people and myself have called police because of drug activity or gang related events. Yet because Eighth Street used to be a nice neighborhood it gets special attention. I would like my neighborhood back as well. Don't I get equal treatment? This is outrageous. I have several drug houses within 1000 feet of my home. I would like my children to be able to play outside and in the park for that matter, but I can't because of all the gang activity. I wish this wasn't so sugar coated and just told bluntly that Beloit has become a violent place to live. The city ordinances are not strict enough and not enforced enough to crack down on these problems. The lack of respect of people's property, blocking of city streets for illegal activities, loitering on street corners or vacant properties and complete disregard for our laws needs to be enforced to the full extent of the law. Our law enforcement needs to be increased along with more K-9 units walking around these problems neighborhoods. Many times I have watched officers drive by loiterers and vehicles stopped in the middle of the road to make drug deals and it's appalling. I've even called for suspicious vehicles in my neighborhood and nothing was done. By suspicious vehicles I'm mean where people are parked in front of my home, sit there and wait for perspective buyers to pull up. I have seen and taken video footage of them rolling a joint and smoke it while waiting for the next customer. They are not there to visit anyone that lives on the block yet because it's public property I can't do anything about it. Walking my children home from school requires my Rottweiller by my side. I do not go out of my door without my dog. In fact, my dog and I have run off numerous dealers from my block, so yes we've been shot at and threatened and even beaten up by these people but I haven't moved. They need to leave not me. I am the tax payer and law abiding citizen not them, so why do I have to give up my home? I must say it's pretty upsetting when you call a police officer for a problem and they admit that they don't live in Beloit because of the crime levels. That is just sad. Beloit can crack down on gang activity at the schools but do not in my neighborhood, where's the justification in that? People think of Columbine and completely forget about the rest of the city, is my life less important because I'm not a child? These points need to be addressed and the city needs to rethink its budget for protecting the city instead of just making it look prettier. Thank you. "
Mark Preuschl, Beloit wrote on Apr 16, 2007 8:34 PM:
" So far, none of your articles mention yet another shooting incident involving Stewart. Also in 2003! on the morning of October 10, 2003 when Stewart is implicated in shooting 2 people in the 900 block of Park Avenue.
http://caselaw.findlaw.com/data2/circs/7th/042063p.pdf
"At that point a struggle broke out; Stewart drew his own gun and opened fire. Thomas retrieved the gun from Brown�s pocket and returned fire while Stewart fled. In the aftermath of the gunfight, Stewart had fled the scene, Brown lay shot at the end of the Intrepid, and Thomas, shot in his right hand and rear left shoulder..."
Why was Stewart allowed to walk our streets? What is wrong with our DA?!!?!!?
See my blog photos:
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/oldonliner
http://stateline.net/ "
Amy Sholes, Beloit wrote on May 27, 2007 12:18 AM:
"
I just started reading the BDN, so I'm a little late commenting on this. This is in regards to Camellia Marvin's comment, "Beloit can crack down on gang activity at the schools but do not in my neighborhood, where's the justification in that?" Are you kidding me?! You obviously don't have a child in BMHS. I have a 15 year old that goes there, and there is not nearly a big enough crack down on the gang activities that my son gets to witness every day. A couple of months ago, I visited one of my son's classes. I have never in my 35 years on this planet seen soooo much disrespect crammed into one room as I did that day, in one hour. It was the scariest sight I have ever seen in a school. My son gets to deal with gang issues every day; either fighting, selling drugs right in the halls or their total disrespect right in the class room. I didn't hear one thing the teacher said that day, so how is she teaching these kids anything? As I was walking out of the classroom in utter awe; the teacher approached me and said "I should have a guest every day, that was the best they've ever acted". I couldn't believe my ears, because if that was the best, I'm terrified to see the worst!! It's like we're sending our kids to a gang camp. If we don't help our kids today with the gang problem, we will all have gangbangers choosing our nursing homes for us one day. The thought of this generation taking care of the older and younger generations in their adulthood is absolutely terrifying. Sure there are some great kids out there, but they are the minority today. I'm afraid that one day the bad is going to outweigh the good, and if that happens what are we going to do? "
Submit a Comment
Login below to post your comment. |
Not yet a member? Use the form below to register. |
Katharine Hinds, Beloit wrote on Apr 4, 2007 3:23 PM: