Witness to fatal shooting of Tridell Parker during brawl outside South Austin gas station: 'It's just Chicago'

Jeff Mayes — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 13:40:11 -0600

By DANIEL BROWN
Chicago Sun-Times Wire

A man was shot to death outside a gas station early Sunday in South Austin. | Daniel Brown/Sun-Times

A man shot to death during a confrontation with a group of men outside a gas station early Sunday in the South Austin neighborhood has been identified as 20-year-old Tridell Parker.

Officers responding to a call of a person shot in the 4800 block of West Madison at 1:59 a.m. found Parker suffering multiple gunshot wounds to the abdomen and chest, according to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:37 a.m., according to the medical examiner’s office. He lived in the 6300 block of South King Drive.

The parking lot of the Mobil station at 4804 W. Madison St. was cordoned off with red and yellow tape.

One witness, who would not give his name, said he was standing across the street on the south side of Madison when he heard people arguing in the parking lot.

He said a group of males started chasing a man before he heard about four to five shots.

An officer inspects the area where the man was said to have been gunned down early Sunday. | Daniel Brown/Sun-Times

“[He] was like ‘no, no, no’ and then some dude shot him ... He was begging,” the witness said.

Another witness, 20-year-old James, was walking out of the station when he heard “a commotion” and saw a group of about 10-12 people spread around the parking lot.

He said he then heard people screaming, followed by gunshots.

“I ducked in front of the cars, and threw the trash can over, and ducked in front of the trash can so I wouldn’t get hit,” he said.

The victim, according to John, was shot by one of the males in the group, and was lying in the broken glass near the SUV.

“He was still moving, but not talking ... That’s when the police came and I ran back in the gas station.”

This isn’t the first time James has witnessed a shooting.

“I feel OK,” he said, tears in the corner of his eyes from either emotion or the cold air. “It’s just Chicago.”

Tridell Parker | Homicide Watch Chicago

Witness to fatal shooting of Tridell Parker during brawl outside South Austin gas station: 'It's just Chicago'