Man allegedly kills friend for not protecting dead pal

David Stewart and Demetrius Pitts had lost a friend to gun violence on a summer day in 2010.

They joined a crowd at a memorial site at Kildare Avenue and Jackson Boulevard that evening to mourn the death. But before the night was over, one man opened fire and killed the other for failing to “protect” their slain pal, Cook County prosecutors said.

Stewart was seen at the memorial site, pacing back and forth expressing his anger on Aug. 10, 2010, Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Karr said.

When 30-year-old Pitts arrived to pay his respects, Stewart walked up to him and allegedly shot him multiple times, striking him in the chest and back.

Stewart, a purported gang member, blamed Pitts for not properly protecting their friend hours earlier, authorities said.

After the shooting, someone saw Stewart run from the scene with a black semi-automatic handgun, Karr said. That witness also saw Stewart passing the weapon to another person as he fled, Karr said.

Stewart, now 34, was arrested Tuesday at ABC Choice, where he works as a salesman, assistant public defender Julie Koehler said. ABC Choice, 4113 W. Roosevelt Road, is listed as a cellphone store.

Judge James Brown Thursday asked Karr why it took police so long to arrest Stewart since at least two witnesses say they saw him shoot Pitts.

Karr said one witness was interviewed in 2010 but led police to the other witnesses during another interview last year.

Brown ordered Stewart, of the 1100 block of North Ridgeway Avenue, held on $2 million bail.

Stewart was on parole for a 2011 weapons case. He has eight prior felony convictions for mostly drug-related charges.

Stewart has a tattoo on his neck that reads, “Trust no bitch” on his neck, according to a police report.