No Bail For Suspect In Wednesday's Deadly Hyde Park Carjacking Attempt
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Bail was denied for one of the suspects in the deadly carjacking this week in Hyde Park.
Frank Harris, 18, is charged with one felony count of murder and one felony count of aggravated vehicular hijacking in the death 73-year-old Keith Cooper during an attempted carjacking in the parking lot of the Kimbark Plaza Shopping Center near 53rd and Kimbark on Wednesday.
A 17-year-old boy also has been charged as a juvenile in the attack. He faces one count of murder and one count of attempted aggravated battery, but has yet to appear in court.
CBS 2's Jackie Kostek reports from Hyde Park, where a vigil is expected to be held for the victim.
In court on Friday, Cook County prosecutors revealed Harris had one prior juvenile conviction from May 13, 2021, for an aggravated vehicular hijacking.
For that incident, Harris received two years of probation.
According to prosecutors, Harris and the 17-year-old approached Cooper as he was removing items from his vehicle at the strip mall on Wednesday afternoon.
Cooper then fell and grabbed the back of his head. He then approached the 17-year-old, demanding his keys be returned.
Prosecutors said Harris and the 17-year-old couldn't get into the car and fled the scene together.
Surveillance cameras caught parts of the altercation on different videos.
The prosecutor said Harris threatened that victim with a fake gun before stealing the victim's car and other belongings. Harris was sentenced to two years probation in May.
The victim's daughter Keinika Carlton said she has a 17-year-old who is about to turn 18. She said she has so many questions about the two defendants who tried to steal her dad's car, but took his life instead.
"I would want to know why. I would want to know why," Carlton said. I don't know if their answer would make me feel any better. It probably won't, but I guess I would want to know why."
Carlton said she wants her father to be remembered as an amazing father and grandfather who loved his family so much.
Carlton, said her father was out running errands at Hyde Park Produce at the busy Kimbark Plaza Shopping Center when he was attacked.
Witnesses waited with Cooper for police after the attack. Minutes later, Cooper collapsed. An unidentified off duty paramedic showed up and helped with CPR until EMS arrived.
Cooper was taken to University of Chicago where he later died.
The suspects were found by University of Chicago Police about half mile away from the incident.
"It's ridiculous. It doesn't make any sense. It's like, you know, if you need a car, there's ways to get a car," Carlton said on Wednesday. "That's not the way – to harm an old man, somebody's dad."
His car was parked in front of the Leona's pizzeria in the shopping center, with his license plate holder that proudly showed off his military service.
"Vietnam veteran, Marine - served this country," said Cooper's son-in-law, Curtis Carlton.
Carlton described her father as a man who loved jazz music, sports, science fiction, and scary movies.
"I know you're going to eventually lose a parent. I would rather him went in his sleep, or something like that, but not like this. This was selfish. This is painful," Carlton said on Wednesday.
Harris' next court date is set for August 4.
