Suspect shot 2 teens dead after they asked about his height, Chicago Police say

CHICAGO (WGN) -- Prosecutors said the 19-year-old man who allegedly killed two Hyde Park High School students was asked about his tall height prior to the shooting.

Laroy Battle, 19, was being held without bail, accused of killing 17-year-old Jasean Francis and 16-year-old Charles Riley. They didn't know Battle, but police said both were killed after an encounter with him Saturday at a gas station.

A friend they were with who witnessed the incident said they noticed Battle in line, noticed Battle had a gun in his waistband, then asked Battle about his height because he is very tall. Police said Battle then followed the boys and opened fire in an alley near 79th and Luella, killing Francis and Riley.

He allegedly dumped the gun in a garbage can. Surveillance footage showed he returned the next day to presumably find it, but CPD already had it. Battle has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and was on probation for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

The Chicago Tribune reports Chicago Police released video images of the suspect. Two police officers recognized him and multiple other people tipped off police about his identity, a prosecutor said Friday.

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