Family mourns cab driver shot during attempted robbery

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A Chicago family is in mourning following the killing of a cab driver Thursday night on the city's West Side.

Chinedu Madu, 51, was shot in the chest around 9 p.m. in the 1200-block of South Albany.

Vivian Madu knew her husband's job as a cabdriver was dangerous. He was still working a seven-day week even though he was sick with pneumonia.

"I called him on the phone and said, 'Where are you? Are you not coming home?'" she said. "He said he was on his way."

But Madu would never make it home. The cabbie was shot and killed during an attempted armed robbery.

"It's very sad, when a man leaves his home to go provide for his family, and then somebody out of the blue just shoots him," said Lisa Mbah, a friend of the victim.

Police say Madu was shot by a fare he picked up in downtown Chicago just after 8 p.m. Thursday and took to the 1200-block of South Albany Avenue.

Friends say during the ride, the cabbie called his cousin and told him he was uncomfortable with driving to the West Side.

"Why not tell this guy you are closed for the evening. He said, 'No I'm already here with him just let me drop him off,'" said Christopher Anaele, a friend of the victim.

Moments later, Madu was killed.

On Friday, close friends and those who emigrated from the same village in Madu's native Nigeria rushed to comfort the his wife of five years and their young son as they remember him as a man dedicated to providing for his family here and in Africa.

"The wife is in school, she's a pharmacy student," said Prince Mwadinu, the victim's uncle.

Madu's employer, Chicago Carriage Cab, would not confirm if his cab had an operational security camera or if it captured the attack. Some drivers say the company should do more to keep them safe.

"It's wrong what they did, what they do to us drivers," said Michael Enahola, a cab driver.

A person of interest is being questioned, but no suspects are in custody. Police are hoping a nearby security camera captured the attack and will lead them to the gunman.