CHICAGO, IL – On Thursday evening, a security guard at a Kids Foot Locker store in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood, Sidney Cassell, 29, was shot and killed while on duty. Cassell was a part of a large family with five siblings. According to his father, Cassell largely remained at home aside from his time at work.
The shooting occurred just shy of 7:30 p.m. as Cassell was getting into his car outside the Kids Foot Locker store, located at 8658 S. Cottage Grove Ave. He was attacked by unidentified shooters in a blue sedan who pulled up to the scene and fired in Cassell’s direction. He suffered wounds to his face and lower body. The assailants involved in the violent attack fled from the scene of the crime.
Despite emergency crews rushing Cassell to the University of Chicago Medical Center, his injuries resulted in his tragic death. His family remembers him fondly as a fun-loving individual who always told jokes and tried to bring joy to those around him through his love of dance.
This is not the first fatality among security guards in this shopping area. In December, another security guard, Edward Fontaine Creamer, 53, was shot and killed while confronting shoplifters. This incident took place merely steps away from where Cassell was struck.
When reached for comment, Cassell’s father and stepmother, en route to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, expressed their shock and struggle to come to terms with the tragedy.