July Murder Toll Increases to 97

The murder toll for the deadliest July in Chicago history wasincreased Monday to 97.

Although July was the worst month so far this year, the yearlymurder total through Monday morning was 75 behind the same periodlast year.

The old record for July was set in 1973, when 93 murders werereported.

The 97th July victim was Melvin Clay, 32, of the 900 block ofNorth Willard Court. He was shot in the chest Saturday night as hesat in his van at a traffic light in the 100 block of North Kedzie.A passenger was wounded.

The 96th victim was Terron Jackson, 23, of the 5000 block ofSouth Michigan. He was driving his car in the 600 block of East 37thStreet Saturday when a group of men forced their way into his car.He was shot in the head during the struggle.

Police had no suspects in custody Monday in either shooting.

The carnage for July makes it one of the seven deadliest monthsin Chicago history. The worst month was August, 1991, with 121homicides.