The middle of the afternoon should be a time, even in a major city like Chicago, when upstanding citizens can go about their business without fear of being accosted by a violent criminal.
Then there’s the real world.
On Wednesday, Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers scrambled to a residential neighborhood when a caller reported that someone had been shot. What they found upon arrival was an all-too-familiar scenario.
Intended victim only had a split-second to defend himself
An unidentified 27-year-old man was apparently minding his own business as he walked down the street when he encountered a 16-year-old male. The younger man was not soliciting donations for church camp this summer.
The teenager allegedly attempted to rob the man and drew a gun on the obviously startled intended victim. Unfortunately for the suspect, the target was also armed and ready, and he fired a shot into the younger man’s chest.
First responders rushed the teenager to the hospital, but he passed away.
CPD took the shooter into custody for questioning after fatal encounter
Authorities took the man into custody for questioning, but no charges were immediately filed, and none may be forthcoming. The investigation is ongoing, but preliminary indications are that officials consider the fatal encounter to be an act of self-defense.
Officials recovered two guns at the crime scene: the one allegedly wielded by the teenager and the older man’s firearm.
The intended victim was apparently going about his day without reason to believe that he was in clear and present danger. And while he may have taken a casual attitude about defending himself, instead, he was armed and ready to quickly respond to the unexpected.
After all, the need for a firearm when out walking in Chicago at three a.m. is apparent. Not so much for the middle of the afternoon, but one man realizes today the power of being always prepared.
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