Tyrese Bell / Photo from Chicago Police
A West Side man on probation for a drug conviction allegedly shot and killed a cab driver in the North Lawndale neighborhood Thursday night, authorities said.
Tyrese Bell, who turned 24 Sunday, was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery to a peace officer, police said.
Bell is accused of shooting 51-year-old Chicago Carriage Cab driver Chinedu Madu in the chest during a robbery in the 1200 block of South Albany Avenue about 8:45 p.m. Thursday, authorities said.
Madu, of the 500 block of East 33rd Place, died at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Chicago Carriage Cab, which is based on the South Side, has more than 100 drivers, said dispatcher Stephanie Jackson.
“When I got in I saw a memo that we had a driver involved in a murder incident,” Jackson said. “It’s terrible.”
Chicago Carriage Cab issued the following statement on Friday:
Edward Sheinin, COO of Chicago Carriage Cab, said today that the killing last night of one of Carriage’s drivers, Chinedu Lambert, 51, is a tragedy. We extend our prayers and condolences to his wife, Vivian and young son. Mr. Madu has been a driver with Chicago Carriage Cab for many years and had a reputation as an outstanding and conscientious driver. Along with his many friends here at Chicago Carriage Cab, we hope that whoever was responsible for his murder will be apprehended quickly. As the investigation continues, Chicago Carriage Cab will assist the Chicago Police Department in any way that it can. Again, our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends and they remain in our prayers.
Scene where Chinedu Madu was shot / Video from NVP
The United Taxidrivers Community Council also issued a statement Friday focusing on the dangers of driving a cab.
“Perhaps this tragic event can lead to improvements in the security of cab drivers,” the statement said.
Bell, of the 1200 block of South Albany Avenue, is scheduled to appear in bond court Sunday.
He was sentenced to 18 months in prison in October 2014 for possession of a controlled substance, according to court records. He was credited with 280 days of time served at Cook County Jail and was ordered mandatory supervision for a year.
He was convicted of the same drug charge in 2010, 2011 and 2012, according to court records. In 2008, he was sentenced to four years in prison for robbery.
The United Taxidrivers Community Council said it is working with the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection to address security concerns.
The group will be launching a fundraising campaign for Madu’s family, according to their statement.
The last cab driver killed on the job happened in March 2013 when 48-year-old Edwin Obazuaye was robbed then shot to death by two men he picked up in the 0 to 100 block of West 91st Street, authorities said.
— Sun-Times Media Wire