Witness awarded for help in investigation of CTA Blue Line shooting near UIC-Halsted station, Chicago police say
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are honoring a witness who helped a shooting victim on the CTA Blue Line last month.
Police invited Jonathan Kasongo to the 12th District station Thursday to award him for his help catching a suspect in the Feb. 5 shooting near the UIC-Halsted station.
Patrick Waldon, 31, is facing charges for allegedly shooting a 30-year-old man in the back after attempting to rob him on a Blue Line train, according to police.
Police said Waldon shot the victim during a struggle over his backpack.
Kasongo called police and stayed with the victim to make sure he was alright, officers said Thursday.
"I tried to make him more calm. I was telling him that everything was going to be OK," Kasongo said. "I asked him his name, and I was happy because he couldn't breathe anymore, he was like, 'I can't breathe, I can't breathe.' And a few seconds later, the ambulance was there."
Police also said investigators were able to catch the suspect because of the description Kasongo gave them.
Waldon has been charged with one count of aggravated battery/discharge of a firearm, one count of armed robbery, one count of armed habitual criminal and one issuance of a warrant.
The victim has recovered from his injuries.
