Man Sentenced to 9 Years for Shooting During Robbery Attempt
A man has been given a 9-year sentence for allegedly shooting another man during a robbery attempt in 2021. Omari Whitaker, 26, was on bail for a misdemeanor gun case and on probation for a felony gun case at the time of the incident.
In October 2021, Whitaker, a 19-year-old friend, and the friend’s girlfriend were all hanging out at the friend’s house on the 1300 block of South Lawndale, officials said. Whitaker was chilling, playing with a handgun, when the 19-year-old reached into a backpack to pull out some weed.
At one point, the man also pulled out $300 in cash instead and put it on his leg. Upon seeing the cash, Whitaker allegedly nudged the man’s leg, pointed the gun at him, and demanded his money. The two men struggled for control of the weapon.
The first shot Whitaker allegedly fired nicked the other man’s finger, causing the victim’s girlfriend to run from the house in fear, prosecutors said.
Another bullet struck the victim in his abdomen, and he begged Whitaker to stop shooting, according to the version of events presented by prosecutors. Whitaker allegedly gave the man five seconds to run away, and the victim took that opportunity to lock himself inside a bedroom.
Officials said Whitaker kicked down the door and demanded the man’s jacket.
An ambulance later took the victim to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition, where he underwent surgery.
Police located Whitaker in a yard a couple of blocks from the shooting scene. They allegedly found the victim’s stolen jacket inside a barbecue grill near his hiding spot. The victim’s backpack, which contained a gun, was found a couple of yards away.
Whitaker pleaded guilty this week to aggravated battery by discharging a firearm in exchange for the 9-year sentence from Judge Mary Brosnahan. The misdemeanor gun case he had pending at the time of the shooting has still not been resolved.
