Kristopher Pitts / Photo from Chicago Police
BY SAM CHARLES
Chicago Sun-Times
Kristopher Pitts was ordered held without bond Sunday after prosecutors claim he fatally shot Kevin O’Malley during a robbery in the Lake View neighborhood.
Pitts robbed O’Malley of his cellphone and cash about 2 a.m. Saturday in the 900 block of West Oakdale Avenue, authorities said.
O’Malley chased after Pitts and, after the two began fighting, Pitts pulled out a small silver revolver and shot O’Malley twice in the chest, Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Cooper said.
O’Malley, 25, died at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
O’Malley, who grew up in south suburban Palos Park, lived on the North Side and worked in River North, according to a coworker, who asked to remain anonymous. O’Malley enjoyed sports, especially the Sox and Bulls.
CTA surveillance video captured Pitts scaling a nearby building and climbing onto the Wellington Brown Line platform, where he was taken into custody, Cooper said.
When he was arrested, Pitts was only wearing one blue shoe. A matching shoe was found at the scene of the shooting, prosecutors said.
Kevin O’Malley / Photo from Facebook
O’Malley’s cellphone was found in Pitts’ pocket and three witnesses identified Pitts in a lineup, Cooper said.
Pitts, 22, of the 1100 block of North Central Park Avenue, was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery with a firearm for the shooting.
Pitts was out on bond after he was charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer, Cooper said.
He will be back in court Monday.