Retired Chicago police officer killed: Lazarius Watt was under house arrest when he killed Larry Neuman, according to prosecutors

CHICAGO (WLS) — The mother and family of the 16-year-old boy accused of murdering retired Chicago police officer Larry Neuman left the courtroom without saying a word on Tuesday.

Lazarius Watt turned himself in over the weekend and was charged as an adult with the premeditated murder of the veteran law enforcement officer by shooting him.

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In court, a Cook County judge called Watts’ alleged actions “heinous” and added that he posed a danger to the entire neighborhood before remanding him in custody.

According to prosecutors, Watt was under house arrest at the time of the murder and had committed more than half a dozen violations after being placed on electronic monitoring just six months earlier.

The teenager was scheduled to be arraigned in juvenile court on Tuesday on charges of car theft.

Investigators say Watt and another gunman approached Neuman outside his West Garfield Park home on Thursday as he was paying someone to mow the lawn.

At that moment, the unknown shooter shouted “Stand still” and grabbed the victim.

“The victim backed away and reached for his own gun when the co-defendant shot the victim,” said Cook County Assistant District Attorney Anne McCord. “As witness one ran to flee, he observed the defendant point his gun at the victim.”

Neuman managed to fire one shot, but was hit twice and later died of his injuries at a nearby hospital. The suspects ran away.

According to the detectives, the retired police officer pushed the landscape gardener out of the way and thus saved his life when the shots were fired.

And while Neuman will be called a hero, the part-time pastor and explosives specialist with the longest tenure at CPD will be remembered as a friend to the community.

Investigators are still searching for a second juvenile suspect, a person many believe Neuman tried to help.

SEE ALSO | CPD releases video of two suspects in murder of retired Chicago police officer: VIDEO

“I just want justice – justice for the Neuman family, justice for the community, but we also don’t want to forget that there is what we call grace and mercy,” said Pastor Paul Sims of St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church.

Watt must appear in court again next week.

Neuman’s wake will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at St. Michael Missionary Baptist Church, 4106 W. Monroe St., where Neuman was a member and pastor for 30 years. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Michael.

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