Two men now face first-degree murder charges in the killing of 67-year-old Jerry Lewis earlier this week outside his Near West Side office.

Lewis was a fixture in the area who for years worked to improve the surrounding communities, his son told the Tribune earlier this week.

“(He was) really trying to change the neighborhood,” his son Zach Lewis said the day after his father was shot and killed. “You wouldn’t expect his own neighborhood to turn on him.”

In recent years, Jerry Lewis had been involved in the 1901 Project, the $7 billion development plan to remake the Near West Side neighborhood near the United Center.
Jerry Lewis, who was fatally shot Tuesday afternoon on Chicago’s Near West Side. (Zach Lewis)
Jerry Lewis was in the 2100 block of West Madison around 12:50 p.m. on Tuesday when he was approached by two armed men who then shot him, according to Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Two suspects were quickly arrested and Harris was pronounced dead about 30 minutes later at Stroger Hospital.

Thursday, CPD announced charges against Nassie Mason, 28, and Erving Harris, 31. Both face charges of first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a weapon, according to CPD. Harris was also charged with issuance of warrant. Their first court appearance is scheduled for Friday, according to police.

After playing baseball in college and a short stint in the minors, Lewis started his own business to help other aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those who had been incarcerated or in gangs, to launch their own companies, his son said.

Lewis met his wife, a teacher, through one of his older cousins and they were married for 40 years. “My mom said that she wanted to meet a great man,” Zach Lewis said.

In a statement to the Tribune, a spokesperson for the United Center praised Jerry Lewis’ dedication to the surrounding neighborhood.

“We have had the privilege of knowing Jerry for almost 20 years. In that time, we came to know him as someone deeply committed to this community and tireless in his efforts to make the 27th Ward and the West Side of Chicago stronger, safer, and full of opportunity,” the statement reads. “Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and our entire community during this incredibly difficult time.”