CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — A 36-year-old truck driver who stopped for his usual pre-work coffee at a Brighton Park gas station early Tuesday morning spotted four masked men in a white Hyundai in the parking lot, went inside to warn the clerk, and was shot in the head, neck, and chest as he was leaving — blocks from where he was headed to start his shift. He may have returned fire before he died.
Justin McCauley pulled up to the Thorntons on South California Avenue just before 3 a.m. on August 25 and parked next to the white Hyundai. Noticing the men inside, some wearing masks, he went in to buy his coffee and alert the clerk. One of the four men had also entered the store, asking to use the bathroom. McCauley told the clerk there were “guys with masks in the lot.” She told him she would lock the door once he left.
As McCauley stepped outside, three men jumped out of the car and opened fire. He was shot in the head, neck, and chest. The four men then stole cash from a station drawer and drove off. Before leaving, they took something lying next to McCauley’s body. He was found with an empty holster. Ten 9mm casings were recovered at the scene in two separate locations. McCauley was pronounced dead at the scene.
Midwest Foods, where McCauley worked as a truck driver, released a statement Wednesday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family as they deal with this senseless tragedy. He was beloved by colleagues and clients, and his loss will be profoundly felt by everyone who knew him.”
McCauley leaves behind a 6-year-old son. His father Steve, fighting back tears, said the family is calling for justice.
“They don’t deserve my words,” Steve said. “My 13-year-old son, Justin’s brother, has forgiven them, has been to church today. He’s stronger than I am, but I don’t forgive them for anything. You took my life away from me, man.”
His grandfather Robert said simply: “Get right with God, because it’s not going to end well for you.”
Steve said the last words he exchanged with his son were the ones he always made a point to say. “I told him I love him and he loved me back. That was it. That was the last time I talked to him. You never know when you will say it again.”
His father called him a hero. “If it meant my life like it meant my son’s life, then he’s a hero to us. If he saved someone in the process, then amen.”
Area 1 detectives are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact Chicago police.
Interviews courtesy of local media.
📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.
