18-Year-Old Crew Member Shot By Associate During Robbery Attempt At EP Walmart: Police

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — A teen was fatally shot by a member of his own robbery crew during an attempted robbery Saturday evening at a Walmart in Evergreen Park, police said. The teen, identified as Justin Bell, 18, later died when he was dropped off by his associates at Little Company of Mary Medical Center, police said.

Around 7:50 p.m., Evergreen Park police answered a shots-fired call at Walmart, 2500 W. 95th St. When officers arrived, they learned that a silver Audi occupied by three males had approached a man in the middle of the parking lot.

>>> Lynwood Teen Fatally Shot Outside Of Walmart Shopping Center In Evergreen Park

Police say two members of the crew, armed with handguns, tried to take the man’s belongings. A struggle ensured, when a purported robber’s gun went off, striking his associate, 18-year-old Justin Bell, of Lynwood, police said.

The suspected robber and the gravely injured 18-year-old got back into the Audi and speeded off, according to officials. Bell was dropped off wounded at a hospital. The intended target of the robbery was not injured.

According to Cook County Medical Examiner, the youth was pronounced dead from multiple gunshot wounds at 8:40 p.m. Saturday, due to a homicide.

>>> Ex-Con Accused Of Shooting 2 People At Walmart Ordered Detained

The two other occupants of the silver Audi sedan, with Illinois temporary registration and front driver side damage, are still at large. Police said the remaining suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.

According to police information obtained by Patch, one of the suspects was described as a black male wearing a gray sweater and white shoes.

Last month, gunfire erupted inside the same Walmart in Evergreen Park. On Oct. 15, police said a 20-year-old parolee, eventually identified as Yoseph K. Barnes of Chicago, followed another man, 23, inside the store and started shooting, wounding two people, including a 70-year-old shopper and the 23-year-old. Barnes has since been charged and detained in Cook County Jail, following a pre-detention hearing last month.

At the time of the 20-year-old’s arrest, investigators did not know of a relationship, if any, between the two.

Evergreen Park police and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force are investigating Saturday’s fatal shooting.

Anyone who may have been in the area at the time, or has knowledge of the people involved, is asked to call the Evergreen Park Police Department at 708-422-2144.