Murder charges filed in Chicago shooting that killed father buying lottery ticket for wife

Eric Horng Image
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Man charged in shooting that killed dad buying lottery ticket for wife
Chicago police said Trivell Pruit is charged with murder in the Greater Grand Crossing shooting that killed 59-year-old father Simon Brown Monday.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Murder charges have been filed in a shooting that killed an innocent bystander who had stopped to buy his wife a lottery ticket at a corner store Monday.

Police said 59-year-old Simon Brown was killed and three others, including one of the alleged gunmen, were injured after an argument led to gunfire in the city's Greater Grand Crossing at about 5:45 p.m. near 71st and State.

After receiving a ShotSpotter notification, police rushed to the scene and found two victims with gunshot wounds: Brown and another innocent bystander, a man who had been shot in the head and critically wounded as he used a nearby ATM machine.

Another man who was reportedly shot in the leg during the initial incident was dropped off at an area hospital in good condition.

READ MORE: Father shot to death on way to buy lottery ticket for wife in Greater Grand Crossing, family says

As officers searched for the suspects, one of the alleged shooters was found nearby with a gunshot wound to the leg.

Wednesday Chicago police announced Trivell Pruitt, 53, has been charged with one count of first degree murder and one count of attempted first degree murder in the shooting, both felonies. He is due in court Thursday morning.

Brown's son said the family is seeking justice, but is more focused on grieving the loss of their family patriarch.

"I'm much less focused on who did it, as opposed to like what we lost," said Simon Brown Jr. "He was just a wonderful person. He loved so, he loved so hard. And whenever I would leave for college, he would say, 'I'm proud of you.' Oh my God."

Brown's family wanted everyone to know he was beloved by his friends and relatives. His son is a senior in college in Minnesota, majoring in computer science, and said his father was looking forward to watching him graduate this spring.

Brown Jr. is also in the Army Reserves, and said his success is in large part because of his father.

Police are still searching for the second shooter.

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