Murder Fugitve Nabbed On Hospital Visit

Had not Bartholomew Bishop been taken to a hospital Thursday night, the man wanted for a south suburban murder might still be at large.

Instead, he’s now in the custody of the Chicago Heights police.

Bourbonnais police apprehended Bishop at a Kankakee hospital Thursday night, Chicago Heights Police Sgt. Tom Rogers told the SouthtownStar on Friday.

Bishop, 33, was taken to Riverside Hospital in Kankakee after a 911 call at 7:41p.m. Thursday from an apartment in the 1000 block of Stratford Drive in Bourbonnais, Rogers said.

Bishop was taken to the hospital with injuries that Rogers would not specify, citing patient privacy laws. While at the hospital, Bishop gave police several fake names, including his brother’s name, Rogers said.

When Bishop gave police his real name, a background check revealed he was wanted for murder in Chicago Heights, Rogers said.

After he was treated and released, Bishop was arrested and taken to Chicago Heights, Rogers said.

He was wanted for the Sept. 29 murder of Marilyn Horton, 22, and the shooting of his former girlfriend, Leasha Crockett, 29, at the latter’s apartment in the 400 block of West 16th Street, Rogers said.

Bishop, formerly of Calumet City, was arguing with Crockett when he pulled out a gun and shot the women, police said.

Horton was pronounced dead at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights. Crockett was shot in the chest and arm. She is now out of the hospital and “ doing OK,” Rogers said.

Charges are expected to be filed soon against Bishop, Rogers said Friday.

“We still have things to review. A warrant doesn’t necessarily mean he’s charged. It’s a warrant for his arrest for investigative purposes,” Rogers said.