Last suspect charged in July Fourth murder of 7-year-old girl

Ervin Perry, brother of Nathan Wallace Jr., shows a photo on his cellphone of his 7-year-old niece, Natalia Wallace, Thursday afternoon, Aug. 6, 2020. Natalia Wallace was killed in a Fourth of July shooting while she was playing on the sidewalk outside her grandmother’s house during a family holiday party in the 100 block of North Latrobe Avenue in Austin. Four men have been charged in connection with the homicide. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

The last of four suspects charged with murdering 7-year-old Natalia Wallace during a Fourth of July party in Austin was ordered held without bail Tuesday.

Kevin Boyd, 28, was taken into custody in July in Racine, Wisconsin, but was extradited back to Cook County this week, prosecutors said.

Natalia was one of 14 children aged 13 or younger to be killed in the city this year, according to records maintained by the Chicago Sun-Times.

“This happened on the Fourth of July when children were out playing on the street, riding their bikes ... They didn’t care who they hit,” Assistant State’s Attorney James Murphy said of the alleged shooters Tuesday.

Natalia Wallace, 7, who was shot to death July 4 outside a home in the 100 block of North Latrobe Avenue in Austin.

Boyd and three other men drove to the 100 block of North Latrobe Avenue that summer day to target one of Natalia’s relatives when they sprayed the street with gunfire, prosecutors said.

One bullet struck Natalia in the forehead as she played on the sidewalk and she died shortly after at Stroger Hospital. The 32-year-old man believed to be the target was also wounded.

At least 20 9-mm and 40-caliber shell casings were recovered, prosecutors said.

Boyd’s brothers, Terrell Boyd, 30, and Davion Mitchell, 22, were charged in the deadly shooting over the summer, along with 33-year-old Reginald Merrill, who is accused of driving the brothers to and from the block. The three previously charged suspects have pleaded not guilty and are being held at the Cook County Jail, records show.

A surveillance camera recorded a white car stop in the street and the three men getting out before they began shooting, prosecutors said. Mitchell allegedly ran toward the 32-year-old victim as he fired at him in the direction of Natalia and several other children who were playing outside.

The attack was related to a larger gang conflict in the neighborhood, including the murder of another brother of the Boyds and Mitchell five days earlier that the group believed someone on the block was responsible for, prosecutors said.

Natalia’s shooters were identified by the 32-year-old victim and through social media posts, cellphone records and DNA evidence, prosecutors said.

Kevin Boyd’s face can clearly be seen in surveillance footage and his DNA was found on a medical face mask that was recovered after the shooting, prosecutors said.

Kevin Boyd

Judge Mary Marubio cited “substantial evidence” against Kevin Boyd and called him a potential flight risk, noting that he was arrested out of state and had fought extradition.

“I do find you are a real and present danger to the community,” the judge said before ordering the father of two held without bail for murder and attempted murder.

Following Kevin Boyd’s bond hearing Tuesday, Natalia’s father said he feels “one step closer to having peace and justice.”

“Things are still rough and some days are better than others,” Nathan Wallace said, adding that he and his surviving children have sought therapy to deal with the tragedy. “Around the holidays, I am seeing my kids and other people’s kids and I keep thinking about how my youngest daughter isn’t here. I am still always crying especially since her birthday is next month.”

Kevin Boyd is expected back in court Jan. 11.

Contributing: Manny Ramos