2 Teens Accused In Fatal Beating Of Vietnam War Veteran Denied Bail

Two teenage boys in Illinois were held without bail after an alleged carjacking attempt in Hyde Park, Chicago, earlier this week ended with the death of a Vietnam War veteran.

Frank Harris, 18, was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated vehicular hijacking in the Wednesday fatal beating of 73-year-old Keith Cooper. The other suspect, a 17-year-old boy, was charged as an adult with first-degree murder and aggravated battery to a victim 60 years of age or older, Chicago Tribune reported, citing court records.

On Saturday, Judge John Lyke Jr. denied bail to the 17-year-old suspect, whose name was not made public because he is a minor, after details of the incident were presented by the prosecution.

“His lawyer argues that he didn’t intend for this to happen, but the law really doesn’t care,” Lyke said. “The law says you place things in motion … all that adds up. He’s responsible, legally responsible.”

Harris was also denied bail when he appeared in bond court Friday, ABC 7 Chicago reported.

According to Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Jeff Allen, Cooper was leaving his vehicle and headed toward a store at around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the 1200 block of East 53rd Street when the 17-year-old allegedly snatched his keys from behind. Harris allegedly picked up the key fob when it fell to the ground.

The 73-year-old cried for help and asked for the keys back. Harris allegedly punched him in the back of the head, causing Cooper to clutch his head and step backward, according to Allen. The 17-year-old allegedly pushed his torso as Cooper continued to ask for his keys back.

The two teenagers allegedly fled after being unable to get inside Cooper's car. According to the attorney, the 17-year-old allegedly held his waistband to apparently indicate he was armed, but a witness yelled out that he had no weapon.

Cooper eventually collapsed and stopped breathing. An off-duty paramedic gave him chest compressions before he was brought to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he died.

Cooper's cause of death has not been revealed as of Saturday, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Both teenagers were eventually spotted by authorities at a nearby synagogue courtyard and identified as the suspects by witnesses, Allen stated.

The 17-year-old’s attorney argued that the teenager is not a real and present threat despite allegations he shoved Cooper in the torso. The lawyer also said that it was uncertain whether that push caused Cooper’s death and that there was "no indication that he intended to cause harm to this individual."

Records showed that the juvenile has a criminal history dating back at least four years, Allen said. The 17-year-old's most recent case allegedly involved possession of a stolen motor vehicle in juvenile court.

A judge ordered that he be placed under electronic monitoring. When he failed to appear in court in December 2020, a warrant was issued for him, according to Allen.