Man charged with killing ex-girlfriend in front of her kids on South Side

A Chicago man was charged with killing his ex-girlfriend as she sat in a minivan with her two young children in the South Shore neighborhood Tuesday night.

Late Wednesday Chicago Police said Myron Mason, 33, of the 8600 block of South Kingston, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Mechelle Lewis, his ex-girlfriend.

Lewis, 28, was shot to death about 9:50 p.m. Tuesday as she sat in a parked minivan with her children in the 7200 block of South Bennett, authorities said. Mason took the children — an 8-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy — and drove away in a sedan, authorities said.

He drove to the Grand Crossing District police station at 7040 S. Cottage Grove Ave., where he was taken into police custody.

The children were not hurt and a weapon was recovered from the minivan, police said.

Family and friends on Wednesday taped a card to a tree outside an apartment complex and placed flowers and teddy bears on the ground near where Lewis was killed.

Neighbors heard gunfire Tuesday night.

David Lowry said the block has seen its share of crimes, with some gang activity in the area. Lowry said he worried most about the children.

“It’s just very sad. I feel for those kids,” said Lowry, pastor of St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 8000 S. Jeffery Blvd.

Lewis had been a manager at a McDonald’s restaurant near 47th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue for years. Employees said Lewis was a cheerful person. They plan to hold a prayer vigil for Lewis.

In a statement, the restaurant’s owner, Yolanda Travis, said the entire McDonald’s team is mourning the loss.

“She was such a beautiful person and will be missed,” Travis said.

Mason was arrested in 2002 for attempted murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm, according to court records. In that case, he was found guilty of aggravated discharge of a firearm and was sentenced to six years in prison.