Fast Food Cashier Charged with First-Degree Murder in Tragic Shooting Incident
CHICAGO — A tragic incident unfolded at a fast food restaurant in Chicago as a cashier, Mehdi Medellel, 42, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder by Judge Caroline Glennon-Goodman following a shooting that resulted in the deaths of two men in the restaurant’s dining room on Monday night.
According to a written proffer from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, prosecutor Anne McCord Rodgers revealed that the cook at JJ Fish & Chicken witnessed Medellel handling a gun in the kitchen area about 20 minutes before the fatal shootings occurred.
Reports indicate that at approximately 10:14 p.m., a 57-year-old man entered the restaurant and approached Medellel with items inside a bag and a suitcase. Moments later, Medellel allegedly locked the rear exit and brandished a firearm as he entered the dining room.
Upon seeing the gun, the man with the suitcase raised his hands in surrender, but Medellel proceeded to shoot him in the head before turning to a 56-year-old man seated at a table and fatally shooting him as well. Shockingly, there was no prior interaction between Medellel and the second victim before the senseless act of violence.
Following the gunshots, the cook fled the scene and called 911. Medellel attempted to flee but was apprehended by Chicago police officers shortly thereafter. He led the authorities to a dumpster where a firearm, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered.
The tragic incident has left the community in shock and mourning as the families of the victims grapple with the devastating loss. The motive behind the shootings remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the heartbreaking tragedy.
