Food delivery driver killed in Englewood shooting, Chicago police say

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A 53-year-old food delivery driver was killed in a shooting in the Englewood neighborhood Monday night, Chicago police said.

Police are trying to determine a motive and if the victim was the intended target in the deadly shooting.

The shooting occurred at about 6:33 p.m. in the 5700-block of South Sangamon Street.

Police said the victim was driving and delivering food when he heard shots and felt pain. The victim continued driving his dark gray Honda SUV until he crashed into a parked car and ended up on the curb.

"He was lured and it was an attempted carjacking. He attempted to get away and was pronounced dead," said 16th Ward Ald. Stephanie Coleman.

The man was shot in the chest and transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said. Authorities have not released his identity.

Police have warned food delivery drivers and ride-share drivers of an increase in armed robberies. Three took place last week on the Near West Side.

Community activist Andrew Holmes spoke with the victim's son, who said his father was a chef at See Thru Chinese restaurant at 59th and Ashland, but decided to help with deliveries because they were so busy.

"His father was a chef, worked all his life, so they're very distraught and upset. Mainly because he didn't have a chance to retire," Holmes said.

Bonita Bowman is a longtime food delivery driver for DoorDash and said she is always concerned for herself and other drivers delivering in Chicago during the evening hours:

"The crime is really, really bad here," Bowman said. "You really have to watch yourself. They give you no like, signs or anything to say who you are. You are pulling up to these dark blocks and a lot of these gang members, they don't know who you are, so you are at risk of getting shot."

Bowman wants food delivery companies to help drivers stay safe especially as the city is seeing an increase in crime against them.

"When it's nighttime I feel like DoorDash should have the customer come out to get their order," Bowman said. "Especially delivering in the city at night when it's real dark."

It appears no one else was injured. Police did say this was not an attempted robbery. No one is in custody while police are investigating.

No one else was injured and there was no attempted robbery, police said. No one is in custody and Area One detectives are investigating.

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