Richton Park Apartment Shooting Leaves Two Dead as 4-Year-Old Hides Under Table, Father Charged With First-Degree Murder

ILLINOIS — A tragic shooting inside a Richton Park apartment has left two people dead and a 4-year-old child hiding under a table for safety, as investigators say the child’s father killed her grandmother and the grandmother’s boyfriend during a violent confrontation Saturday evening.

Victims Identified and Initial Details Released

Authorities confirmed that 45-year-old Marcus Jones and 38-year-old Nivia Phillips were both pronounced dead at the scene after officers responded to reports of gunfire around 6:30 p.m. on December 27.
Investigators say Phillips’ son — 24-year-old Javonte Morris — is accused of shooting both victims following a domestic dispute inside the apartment.

Court records indicate that Morris had previously threatened his mother’s life, and tensions escalated in the minutes before the shooting. According to investigators, Phillips had allegedly threatened to force Morris out of the home, which may have triggered the deadly confrontation.

4-Year-Old Witness Found Hiding Under Table

In one of the most disturbing details of the case, police say a 4-year-old girl was found hiding under a table near toy boxes when officers entered the apartment. The child later told detectives that her father shot and killed both Phillips and Jones. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office confirmed the child is Morris’ daughter and was present during the shootings.

Phone Call Reveals Terrifying Threats Moments Before Gunfire

Documents show that Phillips was on the phone with a third party moments before her death.
That witness reported hearing Morris threaten his mother, warning that a shootout would occur if police arrived.
The witness also told investigators they heard the sound of a gun being racked before quickly calling 911 at 6:35 p.m.

Officers were dispatched immediately, arriving just after the first call — but Morris himself called 911 one minute later, saying only that a shooting had occurred in his home, without identifying himself as the gunman.

Suspect Found Hiding Behind Garage and Taken Into Custody

Police say Morris fled the apartment on foot and was later located behind a garage on Canterbury Court, roughly 10 minutes after the shooting. He reportedly remained on the phone with 911 operators until officers arrested him at approximately 6:43 p.m.

A .380 Smith & Wesson Bodyguard handgun was recovered from the apartment’s living room.

Charges and Ongoing Case

Morris is now charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Prosecutors say the facts of the case — including witness statements, the 4-year-old child’s account, the threatening phone call, and the recovered firearm — paint a clear and violent sequence of events that unfolded within minutes.

The child was safely removed from the scene and is now in protective care as the investigation continues. If you want full updates on developing Illinois crime stories, follow the latest reports at NapervilleLocal.com.