Man killed trying to stop South Holland armed robbery

SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (WLS) -- Several people were taken into custody by the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, according to neighbors, in the 10000-block of South Hoxie in Chicago in connection to a fatal armed robbery in South Holland, Ill.

"They put them in the car and there was some people out here," said one neighbor who identified herself as Miss B. "I guess the family, whatever, oh they didn't have nothing to do with it."

Christopher Lloyd, 45, from Gary, Indiana, was killed trying to stop an armed robbery at a cell phone store.

Lloyd was in the Boost Mobile at Pacesetter Plaza in the 1000-block of East 162nd Street with his girlfriend Tuesday afternoon looking for a new phone. Two armed robbers walked in around 2 p.m., forced them into the back of the store with the clerk, who was ordered to open a safe.

As the clerk struggled with the lock, Lloyd went after the gun of one of the robbers. During the struggle, Lloyd was shot. He was rushed to Ingalls Hospital in Harvey, where he died.

One of the suspects tried to get away. After a short chase, officers arrested him. But the other suspect was able to escape. Police are searching for that person. No one else was hurt.

Torrence Williams works at the barber shop next door. He heard the gunfire.

"We heard a couple of sudden boom-booms and knew it was some gunshots," Williams said.

There are surveillance cameras at the strip mall. South Holland Police Chief Greg Baker said obtaining the footage has not been easy as of yet.

"We're just having a hard time obtaining surveillance. There are a lot of businesses over there," Chief Baker said.

Lloyd lived with his mother in Gary. He was an avid bowler, who worked in construction. His family says he was about to become a grandfather. They want justice and the arrest of the second suspect.

"He didn't even get to see his grandson," says his son, Christopher Lloyd, Jr.

Lloyd was photographed at the baby shower for his eldest son and daughter-in-law only four days ago.

"He was trying to be a hero," Lloyd, Jr., says. "That's what he was trying to do. That's something he would do."

And while Lloyd's son says he hopes the second person is caught, it doesn't change the fact that his dad is now gone.

"That was my man. Took me to all my sports, basketball, he put me on that. Taught me how to play football. All that," he says.

Lloyd's girlfriend is also devastated, according to her brother.

"She was looking through the photo albums of her boyfriend," said Douglass Norfleet. "She kept crying and there was nothing we can do."

Norfleet says Lloyd is the reason his sister is still alive.

"Chris was a true soldier. He saved my sister's life and I appreciate that. I am grateful. I am very grateful," he says.