Murder charges were approved early Wednesday morning against a Chicago man who allegedly killed a cashier and wounded another man in two separate shootings on opposite sides of the city a day earlier.
Joey Jones, 31, faces one count each of first-degree murder and attempted murder, according to a statement from the Chicago Police Department.
The first shooting happened at about 6:15 a.m. Tuesday in the 2400 block of West 63rd Street where a man was fatally shot in the chest inside a food mart. Police said Jones approached the cashier with merchandise in hand and, after exchanging words, attempted to leave without paying. When an employee tried to block his path, Jones pulled out a gun and shot him.
The victim, 57-year-old Omar Maslat, of the 7200 block of West 87th Street in Bridgeview, was pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn shortly after 7 a.m.
Police said Jones, of the 3000 block of West Armitage Avenue, then fled the area in a late-model white Ford Crown Victoria, heading north on Artesian Avenue from 63rd Street.
At about 9:45 a.m., Brion Payne (pictured, right) was shot in an Uptown parking lot in the 1000 block of West Wilson Avenue.
NBC Chicago was told that Payne is a driver for a medical supplies company and a father of 10 children.
He was working and had stopped for a coffee when he was shot.
Payne's girlfriend, Jessica Rosado, heard the news via a phone call.
"He said Brion was shot and I thought it was an April fools joke. I hung up the phone and had to call back," Rosado said.
Police said Jones and a vehicle matched descriptions provided by witnesses of both shootings.
The shooter was described as a black male with a dark complexion who stood between 5 feet, 8 inches and 5 feet, 10 inches tall with a medium build. He was between 22 and 32 years old and had a close-cropped haircut. The shooter was last seen wearing a black t-shirt with a logo showing a combination of Chicago sports teams over a white long-sleeve shirt and dark pants, police said.
The car has damage on the passenger side near the headlight/turn-signal, on the fender near the front door and on the front door itself. The vehicle's driver's side taillight is also damaged and inoperative, police said.
Anyone with information on the shootings should call 312-747-8380.
