Cook County prosecutors have released new details regarding the incident in which a CTA customer service assistant shot a man following a fight at the 95th Street Red Line station early Saturday, according to authorities.
Sylvester Adams, 53, was denied bail on charges of attempted first degree murder and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in connection with the shooting of the 37-year-old victim.
According to a bond court proffer, the incident began when the victim and another man approached the kiosk at the 95th Street Red Line station where Adams and another CTA customer service assistant were working. After asking for directions and where an ATM was located, the victim and unknown man got into an altercation-turned-fight, leading to police being called, court documents stated.
Police arrived and assisted the unknown male onto the train, while the victim indicated he would be waiting for a ride and not taking a train, authorities stated. After police officers left the station, the victim became combative with Adams and the other CTA employee, according to prosecutors.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.
Both Adams and the other employee, who were inside a locked and closed kiosk, were threatened by the victim, who prosecutors said was unarmed and "clearly intoxicated." Once other train passengers arrived at the station, the victim became combative with them as well, authorities said.
A time later, Adams exited the kiosk with a hammer, then he and the victim exchanged words, and the victim pushed Adams to the ground, the bond proffer stated. Once on the ground, Adams attempted to hit the victim with the hammer, and the victim kicked him in the face, according to the court documents.
Then, the victim walked away from Adams, who began to follow. The victim "quickened his pace" to get down the stairs and away from the defendant, according to prosecutors.
Local
As the victim walked down the stairs with his back to Adams, he stood at the top of the stairs and fired at the victim, authorities said. Adams fired nine shots, striking the victim three times, documents stated. He was shot in the back, abdomen and lower leg and expected to survive.
Following the shooting, Adams returned to the kiosk and told his co-worker "his life was over," according to the proffer. The incident was captured on CTA surveillance footage as well as on video recorded by a bystander.
Adams later admitted to police he shot at the victim, authorities said.
In a statement, CTA didn't refer to Adams by name, but said the employee was in violation of several workforce rules, including one that prohibits the possession of a firearm.
The transit agency said it was pursuing the employee's termination and was working with Chicago police as the investigation into the incident continued.
“The behavior of this one employee is not at all reflective of the thousands of hardworking, dedicated men and women who take pride in their work and responsibly perform their duties each day,” the CTA said in a statement, in part.
