Parolee Dies Helping Woman in Armed Robbery Attempt

Bobby Butler had just been released from prison

A parolee-turned-Samaritan was shot and killed this week trying to stop an armed robbery on the streets.

Bobby Butler, 55,  was trying to help a young woman who was being mugged by an armed robber on Monday evening when he was shot in the stomach, authorities said. Police said the young woman was unharmed and the robber got away.

Butler was then taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where he later was pronounced dead.

According to reports in both the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune, Butler was an ex-con who had spent 20 years in prison for alleged drug offenses and had only been out for 5 months.

But it will be this heroic act that defines him in the end, a man who turned it around. Even Police agree and are not giving out information regarding his criminal history.

"Why would we release the mug shot of a guy who turned out to be a good Samaritan?" said News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli. "We're not going to comment on his prior record."

Officer Mirabelli did say the investigation is underway for the armed robber and encourages anyone with information to come forward.

See the full report in the Sun-Times for more on Butler's life and reactions from his family.

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