15-year-old boy charged in murder of US postal worker in West Pullman, Chicago police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A teenage boy has been charged in the murder of a U.S. postal worker last July, Chicago police said Tuesday.

Prosecutors told the judge 48-year-old Octavia Redmond was tracked on her route and shot several times in the West Pullman neighborhood's 12100-block of South Harvard Avenue. Police said the shooter pulled up, fired shots and drove away.

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Chicago police and the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested the 15-year-old suspect Monday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. ABC7 is not identifying him because he is a minor.

SEE ALSO | USPS letter carriers hold rally after postal worker killed in Chicago shooting

He is being extradited to Chicago, where he faces one count of first-degree murder.

"The safety and security of Postal Service employees and customers is core to the mission of the Postal Inspection Service," said Inspector in Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Ruth M. Mendona. "There is no place for this type of senseless violence. When members of our postal family are targeted, postal inspectors will not rest until justice is delivered on behalf of the victims, their families, and our postal community. This arrest is the first step in securing justice for Mrs. Redmond. We hope this brings the Redmond family some semblance of relief. As our investigation continues, we maintain our call to the public to come forward with any information that may continue to bring those responsible to justice."

Redmond's husband, who is also a letter carrier, declined to comment while leaving court.

At the same time as the teen appeared in court, postal workers and their advocates demanded change with renewed urgency.

"We are thankful that someone was apprehended and have let the authorities do their due diligence, and hopefully, justice will be served," said American Postal Workers Union Chicago Local 0001 President Keith Richardson.

They rallied at the Roseland station where Redmond worked.

"We need protection. That's the bottom line," said National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 11 President Elise Foster. "We know what's going on with these letter carriers, and we need some help. We are under attack."

"The carriers who come to work each and every day, they feel the pain of losing their sister, and they don't want to go out and deliver the mail, sometimes. They say staffing issues, mental issues, scared they are going to be the next victim," Foster added.

The union representatives told ABC7 they are not only concerned about safety in the street, but they want safer working conditions indoors in addition to adding more staff, especially with more mail volume expected for the election and the holidays.

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