Chicago ice cream vendor speaks out after being shot on South Side; suspect charged, police say
Suspect allegedly argued with 67-year-old vendor over price of ice cream before shooting
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A man has been charged Saturday with shooting an ice cream vendor Wednesday on the South Side, leading to a SWAT standoff in the East Side neighborhood, Chicago police said.
The 67-year-old vendor who was shot spoke to ABC7 Saturday after he returned home from the hospital.
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Chicago man Paul Redd, 29, is facing felony charges of aggravated battery and assault with discharging a firearm at a 67-year-old man, Chicago police said.
One of the suspects asked me how much the ice cream was and I told him it was three dollars... He thought it was too much and said he had just two.Jose Luis Jimenez, ice cream vendor shooting victim
Chicago police said just after 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, the food vendor was approached by two people in the 10700-block of South Ewing, who pulled out guns and opened fire. He was left on the ground injured while two suspects tried to run away, but they didn't get far. Chicago police and SWAT officers swarmed 108th and Ewing.
The ice cream vendor was taken to the University of Chicago Hospital in good condition while both suspects ran into a nearby home, police said, leading to an hours-long a barricade situation and standoff before they were taken into custody.
Two female victims were also at the scene of the shooting, but they were not injured, police said.
Walking on crutches is the harsh reality the vendor, Jose Luis Jimenez, and his family now have to deal with.
"My sister called me two days ago and said, 'hey, dad is shot,'" the victim's son, Jose Jimenez said.
A bullet went right through his father's leg Thursday when he was shot while wrapping up another day of selling ice cream on the South Side. It's something Jose Luis has done for 27 years now in Chicago without ever worrying for his safety.
He spoke with ABC7 in Spanish about how quickly the situation escalated.
"One of the suspects asked me how much the ice cream was and I told him it was three dollars... He thought it was too much and said he had just two," Jose Luis said in Spanish.
I already talked to my sister... my brother... he's gotta stop [selling ice cream.]Jose Jimenez, victim's son
The victim said that's when he walked away, until moments later he realized he had cheaper ice cream in his cart and wanted to offer them some. That's when he said one of them lifted their shirt and flashed a gun.
"I realized he didn't want to buy any ice cream... what he wanted to do is rob me," Jose Luis said in Spanish.
Before he could leave the area, he was shot in the leg and fell to the ground.
Jose Luis spent the last few days in the hospital and he is expected to be okay, but he said that is likely the last time he'll be selling ice cream in Chicago.
"During every summer for the past 27 years this has been my job," the victim said. "Something I feel very proud of because it's an honest living."
"I already talked to my sister... my brother... he's gotta stop this," the victim's son said.
Redd appeared in court Saturday, where a judge ordered him to remain in custody as prosecutors said he has a criminal history and inability to comply with court orders. The family of the victim is thankful the suspect will remain behind bars, but they are still worried for the safety of hard working people across the city.
"How many people die everyday because this situation in Chicago? I don't think it's working for anybody," the victim's son said.
Police have only announced charges for Redd, and it was not known if charges would be filed for the other suspect who was arrested.
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