Regular customer killed in Brighton Park gas station armed robbery identified by officials

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A suburban man who was killed in an armed robbery at a Chicago gas station this week has now been identified by officials.

The incident occurred at about 2:52 a.m. Tuesday in the 3400-block of South California Avenue in Brighton Park, Chicago police said.

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Police said a suspect or suspects entered a business with handguns and demanded money from the register.

While fleeing the scene with money, a suspect fired shots at a 36-year-old man, hitting him several times, police said. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office on Wednesday identified him as Justin McCauley, 36, of Willowbrook.

A man said the victim was a regular customer, who was getting a cup of coffee and fueling up when he saw suspicious men wearing ski masks.

This is the second shooting at the Brighton Park Thorntons gas station in two years.

In September 2024, three people were shot, including two employees, after armed suspects chased a man inside.

No other injuries were reported and Area One detectives are investigating.

Thorntons is owned by BP.

In a statement, BP spokesperson Cesar Rodriguez said, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred early this morning. No employees were injured, and we are cooperating with local authorities as they investigate."

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