Teen charged in 2019 Austin neighborhood murder

Chicago police investigate the scene where one person was shot and killed April 29, 2019, in the 200 block of North Long in the South Austin neighborhood. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

An 18-year-old Lawndale man faces a murder charge in connection to a 2019 fatal shooting in Austin on the West Side.

James Lenoir was arrested Tuesday after investigators identified him as a participant in the murder of Darnell D. Smith in the 200 block of North Long Avenue, police said.

Smith and a 16-year-old boy were shot in an alley April 29, 2019, after someone inside a silver-colored van opened fire, police said.

Smith, a 21-year-old Berwyn resident, was pronounced dead.

The teen was struck in the leg and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where his condition stabilized, police said.

Lenoir allegedly struggled with officers Tuesday and was also charged with a count of resisting arrest and two counts of aggravated battery to an officer, police said.

He’s scheduled to appear in court Thursday.

James Lenoir

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