Chicago shooting: 2 USPS mail carriers robbed at gunpoint, 1 shot, within 15 minutes on NW Side

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two mail carriers were robbed at gunpoint within 15 minutes of each other in incidents investigators believe are connected.

The first incident happened in the Kilbourn Park neighborhood's 3200 block of North Kildare Avenue just after 3:30 p.m.

Two people, identified only as male, approached a 52-year-old man, who USPS said is a mail carrier, and tried to take his belongings. One of the offenders then opened fire on the mail carrier, striking him in the leg.

Neighbors said he has served their community for at least 15 years.

"The kindest, nicest, most gentle human being on the planet," said Will Lecopp, neighbor.

Ali Sanchez, who lives steps away from where the shooting happened, said she saw someone in a white Kia circling the block just before she heard a gunshot.

"He was like speeding through the alley and then the second time he came around was when he shot the guy and then all our neighbors started running," she said.

Postal inspectors said the Kia is also linked to a second armed robbery of another USPS letter carrier that happened on Sawyer near Bloomingdale less than 15 minutes after the shooting.

"We don't know what it's going to take for people to listen to us that we need help," said Elise Foster, president of the National Association for Letter Carriers Branch 11.

Foster said the two robberies are on top of dozens of others targeting letter carriers in the city this year.

"I represent over 5,000 letter carriers, about 3,800 active that's out there on the street every day to deliver the mail, and they want to know that they are protected and they have to be protected," she said.

The letter carrier who was shot was taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital in critical condition, police said. Foster said he underwent surgery and is resting with the hope he will make a full recovery.

There are no offenders in custody, and area detectives are investigating. The United Postal Inspection also responded to the shooting. There is a $50,000 reward for information that could lead to an arrest.

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