A family is devastated after a 45-year-old man was shot and killed in an armed robbery at a suburban Boost Mobile store Tuesday afternoon.
Christopher Allen Lloyd of Gary, Indiana, was fatally shot just after 2 p.m. Tuesday when two armed suspects stormed into the store at 1022 E. 162nd St. in South Holland, according to police.
Authorities said there were several people in the store at the time, but Lloyd was the only person shot during the incident. He was transported to Ingalls Hospital in Harvey where he was pronounced dead.
"We don't feel like it happened. We're still waiting on him to walk through this door," said Lee Carrol, a spokeperson for the family that was too devastated to speak on his death. "It's an empty feeling, very empty."
Lloyd was a loving father to three kids, his family said, and an avid bowler. A witness told NBC5 that Lloyd may have tried to stop the suspects when he was fatally shot, news that did not surprise his family and friends.
"That he possibly sprang into action to preserve the lives of the people in the store is something I believe he would do," said friend Christopher Nunn. "That's part of his character."
"Senseless, just senseless," said Lloyd's neighbor Lawrence Wilbon. "There was no reason that that had to happen."
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"It's hard to find people like him in the world today," Nunn added.
The robbers fled from the rear of the store after the robbery, authorities said. One suspect was taken into custody following a brief chase, but a second suspect remained at large Wednesday.
An on-duty South Holland police officer was getting his squad car detailed at a nearby car wash when the shooting happened, authorities said. That officer was first on the scene, and police were able to catch one of the suspects after a brief chase. The other fled on foot and remained at large Wednesday.
“We do know at least one weapon was involved,” said Chief Greg Baker. “We do believe we possibly have the weapon.”
“It’s a tragedy,” Baker added. “Our hearts go out to anyone who is a victim.”
Authorities continue to search for the second suspect and are investigating the shooting.
