Update: Homicide Victim Reportedly Identified

This article was updated at 10:15 a.m. on Feb. 27

The Cook County Medical Examiner's office confirmed Sunday morning that the victim in Friday's shooting death, ruled a homicide, was Derrick Bell, 19, however gave a different address than was previously reported by the Southtown Star. The office said Bell's mother identified him early Saturday afternoon as a resident of the 14900 block of Evers St. in Dolton, IL.

Chicago Heights police Sgt. Tom Rogers told the Southtown the victim and a person of interest, who is now in custody, had a disagreement about the alleged theft of a television.

Authorities were initially concerned that there might be a hostage situation after responding to a report of shots fired and discovering a dead victim in the 800 block of Sangamon Street.

"That was our first initial situation but the SSERT team came and cleared the building," Sgt. Tom Rogers said. "But there was no hostage situation."

At around 6:10 p.m. Rogers said the building had been secured and that there were no other victims found.

"We have one victim right now," Rogers said. "No other victims at this time. The building was checked secure, there were no other victims inside."

Police discovered the body after gun shots were reported around 2 p.m. Friday, police said. Chicago Heights Police Chief Michael Camilli was at the scene, where police had blocked the entire intersection of Sangamon Street and Broadway Ave until around 5:30 p.m.

"We have no hostage situation that we know of," Camilli said, before the building was secured. "We can't tell you for certain that the building is empty, and I don't want any of my guys getting killed."

Several vehicles reportedly sped away from the area moments after the gun shots occurred, but Camilli said he can't be sure of what that means yet.

"They could have been involved, they could have just been getting away from it," Camilli said. "We're really early in this. Once we start talking to people, we'll get it sorted out."

The Major Crimes Task Force and the South Suburban Emergency Response Team (SSERT) were on hand to help secure the building, along with Homewood, Calumet City, Orland Park, Olympia Fields and Matteson police.

Camilli commended SSERT for efforts in a Glenwood standoff Friday morning that resulted in the death of 67-year-old Robert Lyons after he fired a gun at police.

"If you look at the front windshield of their vehicle, you'll see bullet holes," Camilli said. "They were just at that the incident in Glenwood, and now they're here."

Come back to Chicago Heights Patch for updates on the incident.

Evergreen Park Patch editor Renita Young contributed to this report.