Overview
- He faces seven counts of attempted first-degree murder plus aggravated battery and discharge charges, along with armed robbery and aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon.
- Authorities say video shows Cherry pull a handgun and fire under the Chicago Theatre marquee; prosecutors also point to a distinctive Sprayground backpack and clothing seen in footage.
- Prosecutors say some victims, a robbery victim and school staff identified Cherry, and they allege he later admitted firing the shots, while his public defender disputes the identification.
- Cherry was arrested after being discharged from the hospital following a Jan. 21 shooting, and prosecutors note he was on juvenile probation for a prior robbery.
- The Nov. 21 violence followed the city’s tree lighting and large youth gathering downtown; a separate shooting that night killed 14-year-old Armani Floyd and remains unsolved.