A Gresham man was ordered held without bail Thursday for allegedly attacking his mother and grandmother with a pitchfork, stabbing the older woman to death during what a Cook County judge described as a “terrifying scene” witnessed by neighbors.
The attack began about 11 a.m. Tuesday when Dujuan Randle kicked in the door of his grandmother, 96, and 73-year-old mother’s home, in the 7700 block of South Laflin Street, and demanded “his money his family was holding for him,” prosecutors said.
When Randle, who lived in the basement of the building, burst through the door, he was bleeding from a head wound and wearing a torn shirt, prosecutors said.
Randle, 41, followed the two women into the kitchen and then punched his grandmother, Myrtis Jackson, prosecutors said.
Randle left briefly and came back with a pitchfork, prosecutors said.
He then chased the two senior citizens from the kitchen to the front yard where he allegedly punched his grandmother again and stomped on her head several times after she fell to the ground.
He then stabbed her with the pitchfork, prosecutors said.
When his mother screamed for him to stop, Randle turned on her, punching and stomping her before stabbing her with the pitchfork, prosecutors said.
Randle chased one of the neighbors who witnessed the attack back into her home, where she called the police, prosecutors said.
The two women were taken to University of Chicago Medical Center, where Jackson died from multiple injuries she suffered in the attack. Randle’s mother remains hospitalized, “suffering from significant pain,” prosecutors said.
Randle was taken to St. Bernard Hospital for his head wound.
Randle allegedly was recorded admitting he attacked his relatives on the body-worn camera of the officers who took him into custody. Later, he complained to detectives that his grandmother and mother “use his name to deprive him of food and money,” prosecutors said.
Randle is facing murder and attempted murder charges.
“It’s a terrifying scene, I’m sure, to watch play out in front of their homes,” Judge Mary Marubio said of the deadly assault neighbors saw.
Randle has previous theft, possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property convictions, prosecutors said.
An assistant public defender said Randle is a high school graduate who attended two years of college and previously worked as an unarmed security guard at a beauty salon.
Randle is expected back in court July 28.
